Casemiro lucky to escape without serious injury against Rosenborg after being on the receiving end of an awful challenge just 18 minutes into Man United’s first ‘friendly’ of the summer

Casemiro was tackled hard by Rosenborg defender Tomas Nemcik just 18 minutes into Manchester United’s first pre-season friendly of the summer on Monday.

United are prepared to sell Casemiro this summer to get his high wages off the payroll, but the 32-year-old midfielder was handed the captain’s armband against Rosenborg.

He then received a solid kick just below his right knee from 23-year-old Slovakian Nemcik, who appeared to lose control after giving the ball away.

If this had been a competitive match, Nemcik would probably have been sent off.

As it was, he escaped with a yellow card. More importantly, Casemiro escaped without injury and was able to finish the first half.

Casemiro was one of the senior United players involved on Monday.

First-team regulars Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford also started the match.

The rest of the starting lineup consisted of Radek Vitek, Sam Murray, Will Fish, Hannibal Mejbri, Ethan Williams and Ethan Wheatley.

Manager Erik ten Hag made nine substitutions at half-time. Vitek and Fish were the only regulars not to be substituted.

United’s next pre-season friendly is scheduled for Saturday when Ten Hag’s men take on Rangers at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

The Red Devils then fly to the United States, where they play against Arsenal, Real Betis and Liverpool.

After returning from the United States, United will face Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley on August 10.

United’s first Premier League match of the 2024-25 season is a Friday night home game against Fulham on August 16.