"We are gonna get cooked", "God help us" - Manchester United fans react as veteran set to start in unfamiliar position in FA Cup S/F clash
Manchester United fans are worried Casemiro will struggle as a makeshift centre-back after Erik ten Hag named his starting XI to face Coventry City in the FA Cup semifinals.
The Red Devils are back at Wembley today (April 21) after visiting the iconic stadium twice last season. Ten Hag's men won the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win against Newcastle United in the final to end a six-year trophy drought.
However, Manchester United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup final. They can battle their cross-city rivals in this season's final if they overcome EFL Championship outfit Coventry.
Ten Hag has been dealing with several injury issues and has been forced to start Casemiro in his back four. The Brazil international rarely plays in the position but will do so alongside Harry Maguire today.
Casemiro, 32, is enduring a difficult sophomore season at Manchester United, plagued by inconsistent form and injury issues. He's played every game at defensive midfield this campaign but was used in central defense in a 2-0 win against Burnley in the Carabao Cup last season.
Mark Robins' Coventry are no slouches as they sit eighth in the Championship. The Sky Blues beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 in the quarterfinals to book their place at Wembley against the Red Devils and they've scored 19 goals in five FA Cup matches thus far.
Thus, Casemiro will need to be at his best to keep the likes of former Everton striker Ellis Simms quiet. Ten Hag's team is otherwise strong despite an unfamiliar defense.
Andre Onana starts in goal, with Diogo Dalot, Casemiro, Maguire, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in defense.
Kobbie Mainoo is partnered with Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes in midfield.
Alejandro Garnacho's social media controversy last week has been put to bed as he's named in attack alongside Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund.
Fans reacted to Casemiro's selection at defense being confirmed by English journalist Finley King.
One fan suggested the Red Devils will crumble at Wembley:
"We're gonna get cooked FFS."
Another fan echoed those sentiments:
"God help us!"
Here's how other fans on X (formerly Twitter) reacted to Casemiro starting at centre-back in the FA Cup semifinal:
"We're finished," one fan sighed.
"Pray for us man," another fan wrote.
"He will be sliding from centre back position. We are sooo done," one fan wrote off United's chances.
"Never been more sure about conceding because he rushes out and misses a slide tackle," another fan predicted.
Casemiro receives criticism for 'not setting the right example' for Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo, 19, has usurped Casemiro as Manchester United's most important holding midfielder this season. The English rising star has excelled during a breakout campaign with three goals in 24 games across competitions.
Many felt that Casemiro was the perfect role model for Mainoo to learn from. The Brazilian has an abundance of experience, winning five UEFA Champions League trophies with Real Madrid.
However, Jamie Redknapp questioned the three-time La Liga champion and whether he was setting the right example. The Liverpool legend touched on his disappointing performance in Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth (via Football 365):
"Kobbie Mainoo, he’s got everything, the world at his feet, but you need great role models to get to the top, you need people who you’re going to look up to and aspire to be like. And at the moment, he’s [Casemiro] not setting the right examples to the young players around him."
Casemiro helped turn the tide at Manchester United last season and was key as Ten Hag's side won the Carabao Cup. His leadership qualities were on display but this has somewhat subsided during the 2023-24 campaign.