Man Utd star told Erik ten Hag he did not want to play in FA Cup final before being withdrawn

Casemiro was ‘not 100 per cent’ fit heading into the game (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro told Erik ten Hag he wanted no part to play in the FA Cup final against Manchester City due to a minor injury problem.

The Brazil international was ‘not 100 per cent’ heading into Saturday’s final at Wembley but was named among the substitutes that afternoon.

However, there was a late change with Casemiro withdrawn from the squad completely before kick-off with Willy Kambwala taking his place on the bench.

BBC Sport report the former Real Madrid star told ten Hag he felt a tight hamstring, requesting he not be involved even as a substitute.

Casemiro has endured a difficult second season in Manchester, deployed in a centre-half for the final month of the campaign with the squad ravaged by injuries.

His performances against Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Burnley were widely criticised with the returns of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane allowing ten Hag to name a more familiar backline against City on Saturday.

The two started at centre-half with Sofyan Amrabat retaining his place in midfield alongside Kobbie Mainoo, turning in his best performance of the season.

Ten Hag originally named him in the squad (Picture: Getty)

Casemiro joined his teammates on the pitch at Wembley to celebrate with the trophy and is understood to have made a brief appearance at the post-game party before leaving on a private plane for a holiday with his family.

Casemiro is among the United players who are expected to be moved on this summer. The 31-year-old, who joined from Real Madrid two years ago, is wanted by clubs in Saudi Arabia and could reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.

The midfielder notably came in for criticism from Jamie Carragher following the 4-0 defeat at Palace, suggesting he should ‘call it a day’ at the end of the season.

Casemiro linked with a summer move away (Picture: AMA/Getty Images)

But Casemiro insisted he has no plans on calling time on his career just yet.

‘I’m really well, I feel healthy, with energy and the same mentality I always had,’ he told Sky Sports.

‘I guess people end up talking about the age factor, but it’s been proven. Recently, our friend Thiago Silva, at the age of 39 coming here and showing that, yes, you can play. The previous Ballon d’Or winners were over 34.

‘At Man City, there’s Kevin De Bruyne. [Mohamed] Salah at Liverpool. I think age is not an issue, it is not a factor in this, but analysing one’s game and knowing about everything that is happening around the game.

‘These are people who analyse football well, who see what’s happening, who know what’s happening, analysing not the age.

‘But I’m well, I’m happy, living every day I get to play here. As I usually say, Manchester United gave me what I wanted. This joy of being able to enjoy the game, enjoy the Premier League.

‘So, I’m happy to be here at Manchester United and enjoying the game.’

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