‘That is criminal!’ – Paul Scholes blasts Man Utd star Casemiro for his role in Manchester derby defeat
In a pulsating showdown at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester United stunned the crowd by seizing an early lead just eight minutes into Sunday’s clash. The electrifying moment came courtesy of Marcus Rashford, whose thunderous strike from an impressive 30 yards out left spectators in awe.
However, the hosts swiftly retaliated with a spectacular goal of their own, as Phil Foden unleashed a rocket into the same top corner to restore parity to the contest. As the match unfolded, the drama intensified, with Foden emerging as the hero once more. With just 10 minutes remaining on the clock, he deftly netted his second goal, orchestrating a sublime one-two with Julian Alvarez before calmly slotting the ball home. Erling Haaland then put the icing on the cake, sealing City’s 3-1 victory with a clinical finish in injury time.
Despite Casemiro’s commendable performance in United’s recent FA Cup triumph over Nottingham Forest, the Brazilian midfielder found himself under scrutiny during Sunday’s encounter. His inability to react swiftly enough allowed Foden and Alvarez to exploit gaps in United’s defense, much to the disappointment of club legend Paul Scholes.
Expressing his dismay at Casemiro’s lapse in defensive awareness, Scholes lamented the veteran’s failure to anticipate and thwart City’s attacking maneuvers. In his assessment, such shortcomings were deemed unacceptable for a player of Casemiro’s caliber and experience.
As the thrilling encounter entered its closing stages, a staggering eight minutes of injury time were added to the clock, with United trailing 2-1. Despite the extended period, Scholes conceded that City appeared more likely to extend their lead than United were to mount a comeback. Reflecting on United’s performance, Scholes noted a glaring disparity in quality compared to their Manchester counterparts, emphasizing their struggles to maintain possession and exert control over the game.
In the aftermath of Sunday’s showdown, the echoes of exhilaration and disappointment reverberate across Manchester, signaling yet another chapter in the storied rivalry between two footballing powerhouses.
