Man United's Casemiro left out of FA Cup final and later withdrawn from bench due to injury
Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, left, challenges for the ball with Manchester United's Casemiro during the English Premier League soccer match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park stadium in London, England, Monday, May 6, 2024. Credit: AP/Ian Walton
MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United midfielder Casemiro was named on the bench for Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City and was then withdrawn because of a “late injury issue.”
The Brazil international and five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid was a surprise exclusion from Erik ten Hag's starting lineup.
United said Casemiro, who has been heavily criticized for his performances this season, was not 100% going into the match at Wembley. It did not expand on the nature of the injury.
He was replaced on the bench by defender Willy Kambwala.
Rasmus Hojlund was another high-profile exclusion from the starting lineup. He joined the club after an $82 million move from Atalanta in the offseason.
Marcus Rashford started in attack, with on-loan Sofyan Amrabat also playing.
City manager Pep Guardiola named Jack Grealish and Ruben Dias on the bench as he looked to complete back-to-back Premier League and FA Cup doubles.
Manchester United's Scott McTominay, right, and Casemiro react as referee John Brooks watches a VAR screen to check a possible penalty during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, April 27, 2024. Credit: AP/Rui Vieira
John Stones was picked to start for the first time since City's win against Chelsea in the semi-final on April 20.
City beat United 2-1 in last year's final.
Manchester City: Ortega, Walker, Ake, Stones, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Foden, Silva, Haaland.
Manchester United: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Dalot, Mainoo, Amrabat, Garnacho, McTominay, Rashford, Fernandes.
Manchester United's Casemiro, left, and Manchester United's Diogo Dalot react disappointed after the English Premier League soccer match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park stadium in London, England, Monday, May 6, 2024. Credit: AP/Ian Walton
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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
