Rio Ferdinand slammed Casemiro after Manchester United conceded the first goal in their defeat at Crystal Palace.

The Red Devils were pummeled at Selhurst Park, with Michael Olise scoring early in the capital. Casemiro had to fill in as a replacement centre-half due to injury concerns, but he went down while attempting to make a tackle, setting Olise on his way.

The Eagles’ star was allowed to waltz into the box before sending a scuffed shot into the corner beyond Andre Onana. Ferdinand took to social media to criticize Casemiro, claiming that he should have stayed on his feet instead of attempting the tackle. He wrote, “Casemiro, stay on your feet.”

Jamie Carragher remarked at halftime on Sky Sports: “Listen, he’s playing out of position tonight, but this has nothing to do with it. That may be in a holding midfield position. I mean, that’s embarrassing, and they should remove him. He needs to get off the pitch. Honestly. Nothing could be worse than Manchester United’s Casemiro playing centre-back in the second half. Put Wan-Bisakka in the center and get someone on.”

United trailed 2-0 at halftime, but with the game still tied at 1-0, the visitors had a goal disallowed. Rasmus Hojlund was found to have fouled Dean Henderson, ruling off a potential United equalizer.

Ferdinand was quick to express his displeasure, saying, “Referees are part of the Goalkeeper Union ffs”. United did not start well in the second half, falling behind 3-0 after a Tyrick Mitchell goal before Olise made it 4-0 thanks to another Casemiro blunder.

Erik ten Hag has been open about his injuries, given his limited choices at Selhurst Park. However, the team’s defensive issues have been evident all season, and their defeat at Palace means they have conceded 81 goals in all competitions this season, the highest in a single season since 1976-77.

With three games remaining, the team might end the season with a negative goal differential. The Red Devils have not concluded a season with a minus goal differential since the 1989-90 Division One season, and they are currently at minus three.

Palace’s victory means they have done a double over United for the first time in their history. Earlier this season, they won 1-0 thanks to Joachim Andersen’s strike.