The Manchester United player is accused of feigning injury when he found out the starting XI.

The Manchester United player is accused of feigning injury when he found out the starting XI.

Man United star accused of faking injury when he was ‘fit to play’
A Manchester United star has been accused of faking injury by a teammate’s brother.

Sofyan Amrabat’s sibling, Nordin, has made astonishing claims regarding Casemiro’s situation with the FA Cup final.

United beat rivals City 2-1 at Wembley Stadium, with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo on target in the triumph.

However, there was mass confusion before the game when it came to United’s teamsheet.

Casemiro was initially named on the bench for the final and featured on the official teamsheets handed out to media.

However, it was then communicated that he was not in the squad at all after suffering from a muscle problem as he warmed up in the dressing room.

Erik ten Hag then told media that the Brazilian experienced tightness in his hamstring and said he did not want to play.

But a shock alternative explanation has been given by former Watford winger Amrabat.

According to the 37-year-old, Casemiro was not injured to play and decided to watch from the stands when he learned he was a sub.

Casemiro arrives at Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup final. Image: Getty
Casemiro arrives at Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup final. Image: Getty
Speaking to Z Select, Amrabat said: “Casemiro was not injured in the FA Cup Final. He found out that he wouldn’t start, so he thought to himself, okay I will sit in the stands then. He was fit to play.”

The comments come weeks after Wayne Rooney claimed United players were avoiding playing through the pain.

Casemiro collected his medal and lifted the trophy in his full kit but was not seen in the post-match celebrations, instead going on holiday with his family.

After a disappointing second season with United, Casemiro has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

And remarkably, reports claim that United could make a profit on the £70 million they forked out in 2022.

It’s stated that Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr are prepared to pay a whopping £85 million to bring him to Riyadh.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

 

Louis Saha has backed Zinedine Zidane to be a huge success at Manchester United, revealing the one area in which the Frenchman would instantly improve the Red Devils

Zinedine Zidane looks on
Zinedine Zidane is again being linked with Manchester United amid pressure on Erik ten Hag
Former Manchester United forward Louis Saha has tipped Zinedine Zidane as an ideal candidate to revitalise the club’s fortunes.

While Saha appreciates the work of current boss Erik ten Hag, he believes that Zidane’s uncompromising standards could provide a much-needed boost to the team’s mentality. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is at a pivotal juncture regarding Ten Hag’s future after a season in which he delivered the FA Cup but also saw United slump to their lowest-ever Premier League finish of eighth place.

In a conversation with OLBG (via the Mirror), Saha expressed his admiration for his countryman: “Zidane is the manager I would dream to have at Manchester United for obvious reasons, he would do well and he’s motivated to come back into football and I think it will be difficult for him to stay out for another year.”

Speaking about what the dressing room reaction would be like, Saha added: “So let’s see what happens, but his impact at United would be huge because a lot of players would see him as an inspiration, a motivation to excel and not just accept the standard they are currently at.

“They seem to have an approach that just isn’t like something Zidane would have. Too many players at United tend to drop their level and fail to have consistency when you need to have 10 players obsessed about getting them back to the very top to be successful.”

Former footballer and BBC pundit Louis Saha giving analysis ahead of the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United
Louis Saha believes in Erik ten Hag but backs Zidane as a “step up” for United
Saha has expressed his support for Ten Hag’s efforts at Old Trafford but also predicted Zidane would represent a “step up.” The former Real Madrid boss, who won two La Liga titles and three consecutive Champions League trophies at the Real helm, has been out of work since 2021.

Champions League-winner Saha – who played alongside Zidane when France were runners-up in the 2006 World Cup – called Zidane a “really hard worker” who “never asked his managers for anything.” United have recently revamped their boardroom team to address issues that have plagued them in recent years, but recruitment remains one key area of concern.

Brazil winger Antony cost £80million from Ajax but has struggled to justify that outlay, while there are arguments concerning the mammoth contracts handed to veterans like Casemiro and Raphael Varane. But Saha believes Zidane’s ability to inspire a change in attitude, as seen during his time with Real, could also be transformative for United.

However, he noted that if Zidane were to take over at Old Trafford, he would face the challenge of navigating a less-than-perfect transfer strategy. Nonetheless, Saha suggests Zidane’s demand for maximum effort from his players could lead to a greater chance at success.