Erik ten Hag responds to Casemiro snub after Manchester United’s FA Cup final

Erik ten Hag insists Casemiro remains an ‘important player’ for Manchester United despite dropping the midfielder the FA Cup final against Manchester City in May.

The 32-year-old, who is one of United’s highest earners on £365,000 a week, faced heavy criticism over his performances in the final few weeks of last season.

Following a 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher, urged the Brazilian to ‘call it a day and move’ after a shambolic display at Selhurst Park.

For United’s FA Cup final against City, Casemiro was initially named on the bench by Ten Hag but the midfielder subsequently pulled out before kick off due to a hamstring complaint.

United went on to secure a 2-1 win over City to win the FA Cup – an achievement which many believe prevented Ten Hag’s reign from ending.

Speaking about Casemiro’s omission for the trip to Wembley, Ten Hag said: ‘You have to make choices, what was needed for that particular game.

‘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.’

Casemiro has been heavily linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League but has travelled with United’s squad for their pre-season tour of the United States.

Asked if he expects Casemiro to stay at Old Trafford, Ten Hag replied: ‘All the players who are there, if they want to play for us and they have the quality, then I hope they keep contributing to our team.

‘We have seen that Casemiro in his career is so successful.

‘In the previous season he was so important to achieve all the success we had there. So when he is on this level, he is a very impactful player for us.’

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