Jose Enrique warns Casemiro after Man Utd ‘liability’ claim

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Liverpool icon Jose Enrique has warned Casemiro that he must realise the Premier League is ‘more competitive’ than La Liga. The Manchester United midfielder has been the Red Devils’ most important player this season but is about to serve his third suspension of the season. 

Casemiro was sent off for the second time this campaign in United’s goalless draw with Southampton last weekend. His studs-up challenge on Carlos Alcaraz came just weeks after he was dismissed for grappling the neck of Crystal Palace midfielder Will Hughes. 

Enrique – who dismissed claims that the United star is a ‘liability’ – believes Casemiro’s two red cards have come as a result of the Brazilian not realising how competitive the Premier League is. The 31-year-old is now set to miss four matches. 

“I feel Casemiro has been unlucky with the sending-offs recently, but it was a red card against Southampton and I don’t see how anyone can say otherwise,” Enrique told DAZN.

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“But Casemiro is not a liability to this Manchester United team, he’s changed the mentality of the squad and made them into winners. Without him, Manchester United would not be in the same position as they are now. He’s a world-class midfielder who has won everything. 

“Casemiro obviously does not want to get sent off, he misjudged a tackle and fouled the player. But he needs to get used to the Premier League where teams are more competitive, it’s not the same as La Liga where Real Madrid and Barcelona are superior to all the other teams in the league. 

“There is players worth £25m-£30m in every team in the Premier League so it will be harder, it’s the best league in the world. Maybe Manchester United should sign another defensive midfielder who can replace Casemiro in certain games when he’s been sent off or has injuries.”

United boss Erik ten Hag has played down Casemiro’s importance ahead of a four-game spell without the former Real Madrid midfielder. The Red Devils have won 2.3 points per game with Casemiro starting, compared to just 1.4 points per game without their key man in the starting 11. 

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“We have had many more games without Casemiro. We have done really well without Casemiro,” Ten Hag said on Friday.

“Against Arsenal, the two against Leeds, I remember all the games and I think we did really well also without Casemiro at the start of the season. I want to have Casemiro available, because he has a huge impact on our game.

“We also won many games without Casemiro and we have to do it with other players. It’s about the players who are available.”

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