- Erik ten Hag’s side collapsed to a miserable 3-1 home defeat to Brighton.
- Agbonlahor said Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, 31, looked significantly older.
- Listen to the latest episode of the Mail Sport podcast Everything starts !
Gabriel Agbonlahor said Casemiro looked like a 45-year-old as Manchester United were shredded by Brighton.
The Brazilian midfielder was one of United’s many mediocre players as they slumped to a miserable 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford.
It was the third defeat Erik ten Hag’s side have suffered in their first five Premier League matches this season as the club battles conflicts on and off the pitch.
Former England striker Agbonlahor, speaking on talkSPORTpulled no punches in his assessment after goals from Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro earned Brighton a fourth straight league win over United.
He also questioned why Harry Maguire wasn’t starting games after Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof endured a nightmare afternoon in defense.
Casemiro endured a miserable afternoon as Manchester United collapsed to a defeat at Brighton.
The Brazilian has struggled to keep up, but he is one of many mediocre players at Old Trafford.
“It was a walk in the park for Brighton. I watch the game, at no point did Brighton feel like they couldn’t get it through the back,” Agbonlahor said.
“No matter who was pressuring, they found it so easy to pass and create chances. It was like a practice match on the ground, especially in the second half.
“Casemiro!” Casemiro looked like he was 45 years old running around that midfield. He (Ten Hag) had to bring him off in the 65th minute for Hannibal, a young boy, because he was so bad.
Casemiro, 31, has had an excellent first season at Old Trafford after joining United from Real Madrid for £60m in August 2022.
But he struggled at the base of midfield in the opening matches of this campaign.
Ten Hag started with Martinez and Lindelof at the heart of their defense, with former captain Maguire an unused substitute after another week of testing.
Maguire was jeered by Scottish fans and scored an own goal in England’s 3-1 friendly win at Hampden Park, leading to a passionate defense from Gareth Southgate.
Harry Maguire once again watched from the bench as United’s defense collapsed.
Lisandro Martinez (left) and Victor Lindelof (right) had a torrid afternoon in defense
Agbonlahor said: “You know, what else hurt me today? Let’s see the same energy for Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof.
“Martinez for Gross’ goal, he tried to make a block, he got a fake shot from Gross and he scored in the back of the net.
“If it was Harry Maguire you wouldn’t hear the end of it, ‘he’s terrible, put him aside.’
“Harry Maguire must be looking around this dressing room now thinking: ‘How am I unlucky in this team?’
” Martinez couldn’t even play from the back, giving the ball away, Lindelof too. Maguire deserves to be in this team.
“So let’s see the same energy, all you tweeters, whoever you are, let’s see the same energy for Martinez at the back, for Casemiro, who can’t move on the pitch, not just pick on Maguire. “
United return to action with a daunting Champions League trip to Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening.
