Man Utd player told Erik ten Hag he ‘didn’t want to play’ in the FA Cup final

A Manchester United player told Erik ten Hag he didn’t want to play in the FA Cup final.

Manchester United Player Opted Out of FA Cup Final Due to Injury Concerns

Manchester United’s recent FA Cup triumph over Manchester City has brought both joy and surprises to the forefront. Despite ending the season on a high note by clinching the FA Cup, it has emerged that star midfielder Casemiro informed manager Erik ten Hag that he did not want to play in the final due to a minor injury issue.

United’s FA Cup Glory

On Saturday, United secured a memorable victory against their rivals Manchester City, with Alejandro Garnacho capitalizing on a defensive error to score the opening goal. Kobbie Mainoo followed up with a well-executed move to double the lead. Although City managed a late goal through Jeremy Doku, United held firm to claim consecutive silverware for the first time since the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Casemiro’s Decision

Casemiro, who joined United from Real Madrid, was a notable absentee from the pitch, despite being pictured celebrating with the trophy post-match. The Brazilian midfielder, who has struggled with form this season, reportedly approached ten Hag expressing his reluctance to participate in the final due to a minor injury.

After the victory, Casemiro signed a letter addressed to supporters, pledging improved performances for the next season. He made a brief appearance at the team’s post-season party before heading off on a family holiday. His recent struggles also saw him omitted from Brazil’s Copa America squad.

Despite the FA Cup win, Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United remains uncertain. The club endured a challenging season, finishing at their lowest league position in the Premier League era and exiting the Champions League at the group stage. The Dutch manager is set to learn his fate this week following a comprehensive review by the club’s hierarchy.

In the wake of the victory, ten Hag reflected on the journey and the ongoing project at United. He stated, “I don’t know. All I can do is prepare my team, develop my team, progress my team. This is a project. When I came in it was a mess, now we are better. But we are by far where we want to be.”

He added, “Football is about winning trophies. I want to play the best football. I want to play dynamic football. But you have to win games and trophies. That’s the mentality we’ve brought in. We only had one opportunity, the FA Cup and we did it. I’m so proud of the players and staff.”

As Manchester United fans revel in their FA Cup success, the unexpected news of Casemiro’s decision not to play in the final has stirred mixed emotions. While the team’s victory is celebrated, the future of both key players and the manager remains in flux, leaving supporters eagerly anticipating the next steps for the club.