Casemiro was on the receiving end of a terrible tackle by Rosenborg defender Tomas Nemcik just 18 minutes into Manchester United‘s first pre-season friendly of the summer on Monday.
United are willing to sell Casemiro this summer in order to get his hefty salary off their wage bill but the 32-year-old midfielder was given the captain’s armband against Rosenborg.
He was then given a firm kick just below his right knee by 23-year-old Slovakian Nemcik, who seemed to lose control after giving away possession.
Had this been a competitive match then Nemcik would likely have been sent off.
As it was, he escaped with a yellow card. More importantly, Casemiro escaped without injury and was able to complete the first half.
Tomas Nemcik (centre) pictured receiving a yellow card after a bad foul on Casemiro (No 18)
Nemcik caught Casemiro just below his knee after losing control of the ball in the 18th minute
The rest of the starting XI was made up of Radek Vitek, Sam Murray, Will Fish, Hannibal Mejbri, Ethan Williams and Ethan Wheatley.
Manager Erik ten Hag made 10 changes at half-time, with goalkeeper Vitek the only starter not subbed off.
Rosenborg won the match 1-0 courtesy of a goal scored by Noah Holm in added time at the end of the second half.
United’s next pre-season friendly is scheduled for Saturday when Ten Hag’s men will take on Rangers at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
The Red Devils will then fly to the USA where they will play against Arsenal, Real Betis and Liverpool.
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Casemiro started Monday’s match in Trondheim wearing the captain’s armband for United
United’s starting XI against Rosenborg featured a mix of young players and experienced stars
After returning from the States, United will face Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley on August 10.
United’s first Premier League game of the 2024-25 season will be a Friday night match at home to Fulham on August 16.
