Gary Neville reveals what he's 'heard' about Casemiro and the Man Utd dressing room after Liverpool errors

Gary Neville has revealed what he's "heard" about Casemiro and the Manchester United dressing room after the midfielder's latest calamitous performance for the club.

Casemiro, 32, badly struggled last season and has failed to rediscover his form in the early weeks of the new campaign.

He endured a difficult afternoon in Sunday's 3-0 defeat to bitter rivals Liverpool, with the Brazilian at fault for the visitors' two first-half goals at Old Trafford – both scored by Luis Diaz.

The former Real Madrid star, who joined United in a deal worth up to £70m in 2022, was hauled off at half-time by manager Erik ten Hag, with youngster Toby Collyer taking his place in the side.

Speaking after the match, Sky Sports pundit and former United captain Gary Neville said the Brazilian had "lost his confidence", while Jamie Carragher said it was a "sad sight" watching the midfielder struggle after years at the top of the game.

Casemiro's wife Anna Mariana later hit back at critics of her husband, posting a picture of his huge trophy collection on Instagram.

Casemiro has been strongly linked with a move away from United this summer, with the Saudi Pro League touted as one potential destination for the player. However, the transfer window in Saudi Arabia closes on Monday September 2, which would seemingly rule out a move away for Casemiro – at least until January.

United captain Bruno Fernandes came to Casemiro's defence after the defeat to Liverpool, insisting the result was down to the whole team rather than individuals.

"The goals are always self-inflicted. You need to commit a mistake to give them the goal. We don't need to be pointing fingers at everyone. that won't help us now," said Fernandes.

"When you concede a goal, you can't just point at one mistake. What's the point in saying Casemiro lost the ball or Kobbie [Mainoo] lost the ball? They lost the ball because they wanted to be brave. It's part of football. Don't make it individual."

He added: "Casemiro is more experienced than me. I don't need to tell him anything, he knows what football is about. He's played for the two best clubs in the world."

Casemiro was taken off at half time against Liverpool (Image: Getty)

Despite his underwhelming performances, Casemiro remains a hugely popular figure in the United dressing room, according to Neville.

"From what I hear, he [Casemiro] is very, very popular with the rest of the players and he has been a big character in the dressing room," Neville said, as reported by United In Focus.

However, Neville also added that the dressing room may not be the most "pleasant" place for Casemiro at present.

Speaking about Ten Hag's decision to withdraw the midfielder, Neville said: "I know it sounds crazy, but I don't think he will have brought him off just for the two mistakes.

"I think it will have been the two or three things after that, particularly the crowd's reaction to Casemiro when there was the incident down beneath us. Managers don't just bring off players for mistakes.

"I just feel that maybe there were a couple of passes that he made after that that demonstrated that he looked like he lost his confidence and belief, and the fans had in him as well. It won't be a pleasant place in the dressing room for him. I feel for him."

Casemiro's popularity with his teammates could potentially create an issue for Ten Hag, should the United manager look to drop him - or if the club attempts to force the Brazilian out in January.

Speaking after the defeat to Liverpool, Ten Hag denied that Casemiro had left Old Trafford early following his half-time substitution, after footage emerged of the midfielder outside the stadium.

"I met him in the dressing room after the game, so he didn't leave the stadium at half-time," said Ten Hag.

Explaining the substitution, he added: "It is what the team needed. You know when you are 2-0 down against Liverpool you have to take more risks, it will be open.

"When you are losing you have to take more risks. I have to give compliments to the team. You have to keep fighting and sticking together."

United have taken just three points from their opening three games in the new Premier League season.

But they now have time to regroup ahead of their next match against Southampton on September 14, after the international break.