Manchester United have suffered many a humiliation under Erik Ten Hag but Monday's at Crystal Palace may rank among the very worst.
A decimated United lined out with an unfamiliar XI due to an ongoing injury crisis and the side were shambolic all across the pitch as they fell to a 4-0 defeat they could have no complaints with.
In his post-match interview, Palace's Eberechi Eze said he felt his side could have scored more and he was not wrong. United's midfield was non-existent, forwards Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund barely got a sniff of the ball and, above all, their defence was shambolic at Selhurst Park.
Granted, no United fan would have foreseen a scenario at the beginning of the season which saw Casemiro and Jonny Evans paired up at the heart of the back four, but there was no excuse for the performance on Monday night.
Casemiro, in particular, has been met with resounding criticism from fans and pundits alike on social media. He was at fault for both of Michael Olise's goals with almost comical errors and looked totally lost as Palace ran rings around the Brazilian.
MICHAEL OLISE! ⚡
"Great start for Palace but an absolute disaster for Manchester United" 🫣 pic.twitter.com/VMX8N4LGl8— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 6, 2024
After a sensational career, Casemiro's fall from grace in the past year has been equally spectacular - and Jamie Carragher has called on the five-time Champions League winner to pack it in before it is too late.
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Crystal Palace 4-0 Manchester United: Jamie Carragher lays bare Casemiro humiliation
In truth, Monday night's shambolic showing in south London was just the latest calamity for Casemiro this season, after an impressive first campaign for Manchester United last season.
The ex-Real Madrid man has seen his form drop off a cliff this season, with his physical attributes sorely lacking in midfield - leading to the dreaded "legs are gone" tagline finding its way to the 32-year-old.
In an extraordinary full-time tirade on Sky Sports, former Liverpool man Jamie Carragher pleaded with Casemiro to see sense and call time on his career at the top level, saying it was for his own benefit:
I said at half-time that he had to bring Casemiro off. I know he's got kids on the bench but...I think Casemiro, deadly serious, should know himself tonight as an experienced player that he should only have another three games left at the top level - the next two league games and the cup final. Then he should be going to the MLS or Saudi.
I'm deadly serious. His agent, or the people around him, they need to tell him, 'This has to stop.'
We are watching one of the greats of the modern time, who's played in one of the best midfields we've seen which dominated Europe. Him holding, Kroos to one side, Modric to the other was one of the best midfields - could easily go up against the Barcelona midfield. He's been an absolute great, I am nowhere near on a level of what this man has achieved.
I always remember something when I retired myself. There was a saying I always remember as a footballer - 'Leave the football before the football leaves you.' The football has left him at this top level - he needs to call it a day at this level of football and move.
We've rarely - if ever - heard a pundit speak with such passion encouraging a player to pack it in.
"He needs to call it a day at this level of football and move."@Carra23 believes Casemiro should be going to the MLS or Saudi after this season. pic.twitter.com/kHCGe8sUHq
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 6, 2024
In fairness, it is hard to argue with Carragher's stance. As fantastic a footballer as Casemiro has been, it is hard to see him rediscovering the form which made Manchester United sign him in the first place.
This summer may bring a major exodus at United as Jim Ratcliffe's new INEOS ownership seek to reboot the club's fortunes. That may include not only veterans such as Casemiro and Raphael Varane but also manager Erik ten Hag.
After the shocking result on Monday night, ten Hag insisted he is confident he is the man to return United to the top but, based on their recent form, it is becoming increasingly hard to see.
With Arsenal still to come in the league and an FA Cup final against Manchester City to round off the season, things may get worse before they get better for Manchester United.
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