Gary Lineker questioned whether Casemiro had faked an injury to get out of the FA Cup final after Manchester United were forced to make a late change to their team at Wembley.

The Brazilian midfielder, who has been the subject of much criticism in recent weeks, was initially named on United’s bench for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.

But Manchester United confirmed after their team was announced that Casemiro would in fact play no part in the match and had been replaced on the bench by young defender Willy Kambwala.

Erik ten Hag, who could be sacked even if he wins the FA Cup, said Casemiro was not 100%, while United said he had been ruled out due to a ‘late injury issue’ and had not been fully fit in the days leading up to the final.

But Lineker questioned if Casemiro had actually ruled himself out after being unhappy at only being named on Manchester United’s bench.

‘There is one small change… Casemiro, who was on the bench, is now apparently injured and out,’ Lineker said on BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup final. ‘Maybe he wasn’t happy with being left out…’

Ten Hag made two changes from Manchester United’s final Premier League game, bringing in Raphael Varane and Marcus Rashford.

Despite winning their last two league games, United recorded their lowest-ever Premier League finish in Ten Hag’s second season at Old Trafford.

Speaking about Manchester United’s FA Cup final hopes and his team news before the Wembley final, Ten Hag said: ‘Two years after each other we’re in the final but this year we want to win.

‘The mood is very good, strong spirit, strong belief, a tough opponent and we have to give everything we have, sacrifice, suffer but be brave and let them suffer as well.