In a surprising turn of events, Casemiro was absent from the starting XI for Manchester United’s FA Cup final clash against Manchester City, following widespread rumors that he would be dropped.
Initially named on the bench, the Brazilian midfielder was subsequently removed, with the club’s media department citing an injury as the reason. However, three months later, Erik ten Hag has offered a different account, seemingly contradicting the earlier explanation.
“You have to make choices – what was needed for that particular game,” Ten Hag told The Guardian. “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.”
Ten Hag’s remarks suggest that Casemiro was not injured during the final but was instead left out of the starting lineup based on strategic decisions.
Moreover, it appears Casemiro might have refused to be a substitute after learning he was dropped. This development has fueled suspicions that his exclusion was not due to injury but rather a reaction to being benched.
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Casemiro’s performance during the season had been notably underwhelming, with the Brazilian midfielder struggling to find his form. In the weeks leading up to the FA Cup final, football pundit Jamie Carragher even suggested that Casemiro should consider retiring from elite football for his own good.
Despite his poor form, Casemiro remains United’s second-highest-paid player after Marcus Rashford, with two years remaining on his contract at Old Trafford.
The combination of his substantial salary and declining performance has made it challenging for Manchester United to offload Casemiro, with no serious interest from other clubs. Notably, he has featured in all of United’s pre-season games, indicating his ongoing involvement with the team.
Erik ten Hag’s recent comments imply that Casemiro is likely to stay at Manchester United for the upcoming season, albeit with an adjusted role. “All the players who are here, if they want to play for us, want to play for the bench, and they have the quality, then I hope they keep contributing to our team,” Ten Hag stated. “We have seen that Casemiro in his career is so successful.”
While Casemiro’s future at Manchester United remains somewhat uncertain, Ten Hag’s statements highlight the midfielder’s importance to the squad, even if his role may evolve.
The situation underscores the complexities of managing elite players and the tough decisions managers must make to optimize team performance. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Casemiro to see how he adapts and whether he can reclaim his status as a key player for Manchester United.