Erik ten Hag explains Casemiro FA Cup final decision as he appears to admit the Brazilian was NOT injured and reveals transfer plans for midfielder

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.

"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 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.

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.

Ten Hag appeared to suggest that Casemiro would be staying at United for the coming season but hinted he would have to accept being a substitute. "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," he added. "We have seen that Casimiro in his career is so successful."