Rio Ferdinand has blasted Jamie Carragher for being 'highly disrespectful' in comments made about struggling Manchester United midfielder, Casemiro.
United were unhinged by rivals Liverpool in Sunday's 3-0 Premier League defeat at Old Trafford, with Casemiro making two individual mistakes that led to both opening goals.
The Brazilian's first error came as his first-time pass was intercepted amongst a mob of Liverpool forwards and a few passes later saw Mohamed Salah assist Luis Diaz.
Casemiro was then dispossessed inside United's half for Diaz's second-goal as his instinctive strike nestled in the bottom corner to give Arne Slot's side a deserved lead.
The 32-year-old Real Madrid legend was hooked by Erik ten Hag at half-time for youngster Toby Collyer and was later criticised by Carragher in his assessment of United's dismal outing.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro struggled in United's 3-0 defeat against Liverpool on Sunday
The Man United midfielder was criticised during a difficult showing against Liverpool
Rio Ferdinand (left) has defended Casemiro's recent struggles amid criticism from Jamie Carragher (right)
Liverpool icon Carragher previously stated Casemiro could no longer perform at the top level, stating: 'leave the football before the football leaves you.'
Ferdinand has now taken aim at those comments and accused the Sky Sports pundit of being disrespectful towards the five-times Champions League winner.
Slamming his counterpart on his Rio Presents show, Ferdinand fumed: 'I heard Jamie Carragher say "leave the football before the football leaves you" and I just think that's highly disrespectful.
'I just think it's really disrespectful because especially given what my man's [Casemiro] won, there's more to it than he's just made a couple of mistakes.
'If you look at the two games before Liverpool he's been arguably Man United's best player. I think it's easier to say that he's gone, he's finished, he's too old,' he added.
United manager Erik ten Hag defended his players after Sunday's humbling at Old Trafford
Casemiro was hooked at half-time during United's Premier League defeat against Liverpool
'I believe when I look at him, he's being asked to do a lot of things like play 30 yard balls, dictate the pace, these are things Man United would never have recruited him for.
'He was never asked to do this at Real Madrid. He was cleaning up, security in front, slide tackling, covering all the gaps and then giving it to other people to play football,' said Ferdinand.
Casemiro has previously faced calls from United fans to leave the club and had been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia before deciding to stay in Manchester for the final year of his contract.
The midfielder has started each of United's first three Premier League games this season, but now faces increased competition from new midfield recruit Manuel Ugarte.