Rio Ferdinand singles out Man Utd star and fumes over Crystal Palace controversy

Manchester United were well beaten at Crystal Palace with Rio Ferdinand criticising Casemiro for his role in the opening goal as the visitors saw their defensive woes continue

Rio Ferdinand took aim at Casemiro after Manchester United conceded the opening goal in their drubbing at Crystal Palace.

The Red Devils were hammered at Selhurst Park with Michael Olise scoring early on in the capital. Casemiro had to fill in as a makeshift centre-half such are the injury problems at centre-half but went to ground as he attempted to make a tackle which set Olise on his way.

The Eagles' star was able to waltz into the box before his scuffed shot nestled into the corner past Andre Onana. Ferdinand was straight on social media singling out the Casemiro - insisting he should've stayed on his feet rather than attempting to make the tackle. He posted: "Casemiro, stay on your feet."

Jamie Carragher said at half-time on Sky Sports: "Listen, he’s playing out of position tonight be this has nothing to do with playing out of position. That could be in a holding midfield role. I mean that is embarrassing and they need to bring him off. He needs to come off the pitch. Honestly. Nothing can be worse than Casemiro playing centre-back in the second half for Manchester United. Get Wan-Bisakka in the middle and get someone on."

United found themselves 2-0 down at the interval but, with the game still in the balance at 1-0, the visitors had a goal disallowed. Rasmus Hojlund was deemed to have fouled Dean Henderson, which ruled out a possible United equaliser.

Ferdinand was quick to make his feelings clear as he bemoaned: "Referees are part of the Goalkeeper Union ffs". United failed to come out firing in the second-half as they fell 3-0 behind to a Tyrick Mitchell strike before another Casemiro error allowed Olise to make it 4-0.

Erik ten Hag has been keen to make it known that he's dealt with a host of injuries, such were his lack of options at Selhurst Park. However the team's defensive woes have been apparent all season and their loss at Palace means they have conceded 81 goals in all competitions this season, their most in a single campaign since 1976-77.

As things stand, with three games remaining, the club could finish the campaign with a minus goal difference. The Red Devils have not finished a season on a minus goal difference since the 1989-90 Division One season - currently they are on minus three.

Palace's success means they have completed a double over United for the first time in their history. Earlier this season they enjoyed a 1-0 win thanks to a Joachim Andersen strike.

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