The former Real Madrid star is only a substitute for Manchester United’s biggest game of the season at Wembley.
Manchester United go into Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City as firm underdogs and their team selection for the game has raised a few eyebrows, with former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro not selected in Erik Ten Hag’s starting lineup.
The five-time Champions League winner is named as a substitute for the game, which doesn’t come as a huge surprise given recent events.
It was leaked during the week that Ten Hag had tried out his potential line-up for the final at Wembley in training, with Casemiro not among the eleven chosen. There were unconfirmed reports the 32-year-old had been dealing with a muscle issue, although Ten Hag naming him on the bench suggests his fitness isn’t too much of a concern.
The Brazilian has come under criticism for his performances during much of the season, especially in recent weeks, in which he has been deployed as a makeshift centre-back. United have conceded 10 goals in their last six games with Casemiro in that position, and the returns of Raphaël Varane and Lisandro Martínez have seen him lose his place in central defence.
Youngster Kobe Mainoo and, perhaps more surprisingly, Sofyan Amrabat have been preferred to the ex-Madrid man in the defensive midfield positions.
Why isn’t Rasmus Hojlund playing from the start against City?
Rasmus Hojlund, who cost the Red Devils a reported $91.7 million from Atalanta, has also been left out of the starting lineup for the game against City at Wembley.
The Dane joins Casemiro on the bench in what appears to be a tactical decision by Ten Hag.
United line up without a recognised striker on the field, with Bruno Fernandes likely to play as a false nine, supported by Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Scott McTominay, as Ten Hag looks to flood his midfield and stop City from playing.