Casemiro was due to join the brazil squad for their friendlies against england and spain later this month.
In a statement issued just hours before man united’s game against liverpool, manager dorival jr has now revealed a new injury to the veteran midfielder.
“13 of them were already away from their clubs due to injuries,” he said of a pre-list compiled by the brazilian national team’s technical committee of 50 names.
Alisson was one of those who was unable to play, with the goalkeeper suffering a serious hamstring injury.
Dorival Jr. added: “Unfortunately, we also lost Casemiro. Therefore, Pepe, from Porto, a native striker who now plays as a midfielder, is called up.”
While the injury is yet to be confirmed by Man United, the suggestion is that Casemiro will not be involved in the FA Cup quarter-final.
The 32-year-old has struggled for form this season like many of his team-mates, but Erik ten Hag still considers him a first-choice starter in midfield.
He has started all 21 of his appearances in 2023/24 so far, including each of the last nine games, with only Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay clocking more minutes on the pitch of United’s midfielders.
Presuming Casemiro is unable to feature against Liverpool, Ten Hag could field Kobbie Mainoo and Sofyan Amrabat as his deep-lying midfielders.
McTominay and Fernandes were both used further forward in attack in United’s two most recent games – a 3-1 loss to Man City and a 2-0 win over Everton – and would likely be retained if Rasmus Hojlund is unable to start.
Hojlund should be passed fit, however, which would allow McTominay to join Mainoo in midfield instead and see the return of a 4-2-3-1 shape.
United did see Mason Mount return to full training in the week, though the one-time Liverpool target is unlikely to be contention to start.
Predicted Man United XI: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof; Mainoo, McTominay; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
