Ruud van Nistelrooy singles out Man Utd star who he feels got 'blamed' for defeat

Ruud van Nistelrooy began his spell as Manchester United's caretaker manager with a 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup, with Casemiro scoring two goals

Ruud van Nistelrooy has hailed Manchester United star Casemiro after he was 'blamed' for their defeat to Liverpool last month.

Casemiro, 32, was brutally ridiculed by fans and pundits after producing an error-ridden performance during United's humiliating 3-0 loss at home to Liverpool, a result which helped spell the end for manager Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman was sacked on Monday after four defeats in nine Premier League games and is set to be replaced by Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim.

Van Nistelrooy has been put in charge on a caretaker basis and guided the Red Devils to a rousing 5-2 win against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup fourth round. Starting with a long-range rocket, Casemiro scored United's first and fourth goals and could've had a hat-trick before half-time.

The Brazilian midfielder's display 'delighted' Van Nistelrooy, who told MUTV: "The way he's been training and helping the team and the club, he's such an example. You also see the crowd's reaction and they also know what he's about."

The ex-Red Devils striker, who returned to Old Trafford under Ten Hag this summer, added: "Of course, going through difficult moments, the Liverpool game, he got a lot of criticism. It was so hard, he was almost the one to blame for that game and it's not fair, he didn't deserve that, it was not true.

"If you see him in training and the way he prepares for games, with the history and all he has achieved with five Champions Leagues, he's an example for us. That was part of my celebration, I'm happy for him."

Casemiro's goals saw United through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, where they'll face Tottenham away from home in the week beginning December 16. As Amorim won't take over until after the international break due to an agreement between Sporting and United, Van Nistelrooy will also be in charge on Sunday when the Red Devils host Chelsea in the Premier League.

Get involved! Can Casemiro turn his Manchester United career around? Have your say in the comments section.

"It is clear that this is going to be short term, so for me today was the most important day after what happened," Van Nistelrooy went on to tell BBC Radio 5 Live. "In such short notice we had to have things getting going and get into the quarter-finals. Credit to the players, they were fantastic today. For now the focus is on Chelsea on Sunday and I do not really look any further."

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