Casemiro gave FA Cup medal to Man United teammate who played zero minutes

Malacia had not played a single game for Manchester United that season due to injury but the Brazilian did not want the Dutchman to miss out on the celebrations.

The Red Devils caused an upset when they defeated rivals Manchester City 2-1 to lift the FA Cup for a 13th time, one behind all time leaders Arsenal.

Speaking on the events that transpired the former Real Madrid player said: "I didn't know Malacia had talked about it, but it's true, I gave him my medal. He hadn't played a single game that season, and he didn't want to climb the steps.

"There was no medal for him, so I gave him mine. He's part of the team and we're counting on him. Even though he hasn't played this season, we love him, we need him and he also needs love."

Malacia joined Man United from Feyenoord in 2022, the same transfer window Casemiro left Real Madrid where he won three league titles and five Champions Leagues.

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Prior to the next season he began to feel discomfort in his knee, since then he never played another match until his return against Bodo Glimt this month.

It turned out that he tore his left meniscus which required surgery.

He was the subject of social media speculation and memes but remained incognito throughout recovery and rehab.

Ahead of his return to football Malacia told the Athletic: "Of course, I wanted to be there to support everyone but, for me, the most difficult part was to be up there with the guys (for the trophy presentation), because I wasn't part of the team during the whole process.

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"I was like, 'I'm staying down here and you guys just enjoy it, then I'll see you in the dressing room'. He was like, 'Nah, you have to go up there as well'. And if someone with that kind of experience tells you that, you're listening.

"They [the squad] said, 'At the end of the day, you're still part of the team'. I've been in a dressing room the whole season and seen everything. They know how hard I've been working every day to come back to the team and everything, so they said you deserve it as much as we do.

"Like I said before: if he gives you that [medal], you just listen!"

New Man United head coach Ruben Amorim will be happy to have one defender return from injury as he awaits a fully fit back line.

One which may take a while to mesh considering his famed 3-4-3 formation that decimated Manchester City 4-1.

"It was huge for him, the confidence of everybody, I think he did really well," he told MUTV. "It was more than a year without playing and the way he behaved, so brave with the ball, I'm really happy with him."

If the 25-year-old continues to impress while working back to full fitness he could potentially nail a starting eleven spot as left-wingback.

There will be fierce competition from Diogo Dalot but the Dutchman may have the upper hand due to his favoured left-foot. Luke Shaw could also be a road block once he returns from injury.

Manchester United fans can't be positive despite Ruben Amorim getting his first win for the club