Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has appeared to admit he dropped Casemiro for the FA Cup final, contradicting claims the Brazilian was injured.
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Manager opens up on dropping midfielderBrazilian left out of Cup final amid confusionDutchman hopeful veteran can revive his formGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Casemiro was not in the starting XI for the final against Manchester City, following rumours he was to be dropped. He was initially named on the bench but was then taken off it and the club's media department explained that the Brazilian midfielder was injured. However, three months on, Ten Hag has contradicted their side of the story.
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"You have to make choices – what was needed for that particular game,” Ten Hag told . “But he is a very important player. He is a leader and he can make a difference for our team. No one can play every game. It’s impossible."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Ten Hag's comments appear to confirm suspicions that Casemiro was not injured for the final but had refused to be on the bench after being dropped from the line-up. The Brazilian was one of United's worst performers in a miserable season and weeks before the FA Cup final, Jamie Carragher had urged him to quit elite football for his own good.
DID YOU KNOW?
Casemiro is United's second-highest paid player after Marcus Rashford, with two years left on his contract at Old Trafford. His huge salary and his declining form has made him difficult for the club to sell and there has been no serious interest in the Brazilian, who has played in all of United's pre-season games.