Michael Carrick confirms why another Red is absent along with Casemiro vs Brighton after summer exit agreement

Diogo Dalot has missed Manchester United’s final game of the campaign through injury.The full-back was replaced by Noussair Mazraoui in the starting XI for today’s clash with Brighton and Hove Albion, meaning his focus is now fully on a swift recovery ahead of Portugal’s World Cup opener on June 17.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYDiogo Dalot turns attention to international duty29 of Dalot’s 34 Premier League appearances this term have come as a starter, so he’ll be feeling aggrieved to have had to sit out this afternoon, especially with the Reds currently cruising to a comfortable victory at 3-0.Want more Stretty News coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustIt’s already been confirmed that the defender has been included in Roberto Martinez’s Portugal squad, where he’ll link up with his club skipper Bruno Fernandes, who enters the tournament in world-class form after setting his own PL assist record. Officially in a league of his own 📊 Bruno Fernandes now has the most assists (21) of any player in a single season in Premier League history, setting an entirely new record. 🥇#MUFC pic.twitter.com/eikqCCoojd — Stretty News (@StrettyNews) May 24, 2026Dalot tipped for surprising Real Madrid moveReports in recent weeks have seen Dalot heavily linked with a shock switch to Real Madrid, primarily due to the impending arrival of new head coach Jose Mourinho. Mourinho signed the Braga native back in 2018 in a £19 million deal from Porto, and has seemingly set his sights on a reunion at the Santiago Bernabeu.Long-serving right-back Dani Carvajal has bid farewell to Los Blancos before his contract expires at the end of June, while Trent Alexander-Arnold has also failed to impress in his maiden season, hence the new links to Dalot. Diogo Dalot reacts quickest to open the scoring for Manchester United 💥 pic.twitter.com/vJw5uT9wg4 — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 4, 2025When pressed on why the 27-year-old had been left out of his side, Michael Carrick told reporters at the Amex: “He’s absolutely fine. Just rotation and getting the younger players into the squad.“He’s been fantastic and played a lot of games. He’ll be with Portugal next week, so there are no worries.”Why has Casemiro been left out?Elsewhere, Casemiro has also been omitted on the final day.He reached an agreement with United to be dropped for the fixture in order to begin his World Cup preparations early, as well as finalise an imminent switch to Inter Miami. 💬 “It was decided that last week would be his last game. “I think it went as well as we could have hoped. He’s been fantastic for us.” Michael has confirmed that @Casemiro is unavailable for Sunday, and has played his match for United ❤️ — Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 21, 2026