- Erik ten Hag is reportedly considering dropping Casemiro for the FA Cup final
- United said to be looking at starting Sofyan Amrabat in midfield against Man City
- Have Chelsea offered Manchester United a way out of the Erik ten Hag darkness through Mauricio Pochettino’s exit? – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off! Podcast
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly considering dropping Casemiro from his starting XI for the FA Cup final.
A series of injuries to key players have ravaged United during the last few months of the campaign, particularly in defensive areas.
Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof have all endured spells on the sidelines in recent weeks, with Ten Hag forced to rely on inexperienced or makeshift defenders to plug the hole in the heart of his defence.
With few options available to the Dutchman, Casemiro was forced to deputise as a centre-back for the final six games of the Premier League campaign.
The nadir of his time in the position came during the club’s humiliating 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace earlier this month that led to Jamie Carragher insisting the former Real Madrid star should ‘call it a day’.
Reports suggest Casemiro could miss out on the starting lineup for Man United’s FA Cup final clash with Man City
Erik ten Hag is said to have been preparing for the final with Sofyan Amrabat occupying the Brazilian’s preferred place in midfield
Meanwhile both Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are set to be fit to take his place in central defence
However, according to a report from The Athletic, United have been preparing scenarios for Saturday’s clash with Manchester City with the Brazilian not featuring in the starting XI.
The report claims Sofyan Amrabat has been preferred in Casemiro’s midfield role during training sessions leading up to Wembley, with both Varane and Martinez potentially fit to take his place in defence.
Speaking following the club’s win over Brighton on the final day of the season Ten Hag detailed the defensive injury crisis ahead of what could prove to be his final game at the club.
‘Our centre-half position was a nightmare across the season,’ he said.
‘I’m glad we have something to choose and we have to think, of course, about quality but also about fitness levels. Probably we will need more than two next week.’