Manchester United receives significant Casemiro injury setback just hours before the Liverpool FA Cup showdown.
The 32-year-old’s specific condition is unknown, but head coach Dorival Junior confirmed the Manchester United player was unavailable.
“We have just received a report from Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar,” said the Brazil manager.
“From a pre-list of 50 names compiled by the Brazilian National Team’s technical committee, 13 were already absent due to club injuries. Unfortunately, we have also lost Casemiro.
“Therefore, Pepe, from Porto, a native striker who now plays as a midfielder, is called up.”
Manchester United has provided no official update on Casemiro ahead of their FA Cup clash with Liverpool.
However, the fact that he is unavailable for the Brazil national team indicates that he will not play against Liverpool.
The £60 million midfielder appeared 21 times in all competitions for Erik ten Hag that season.
He has started their last nine games, in all competitions.
United have struggled with injuries all season, and the news comes just when Ten Hag was getting players back.
Harry Maguire, Rasmus Hojlund, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are expected to join United’s team on Sunday after returning to training this week, as is summer signing Mason Mount.
Liverpool were also interested in Mount before he left Chelsea for Manchester United, where he has had a difficult start to life and has missed the previous four months due to a calf injury.
“I’m convinced he will be (a key player),” Ten Hag stated. “He did not have the opportunity to illustrate this point. But he will be an excellent player for Manchester United.
“It’s very unfortunate and disappointing for him, as well as for us, to have such a great player in the middle and be unable to play him.
“He had three injuries, as we all know, so he didn’t have time to get into a routine. But I am confident that when he is fit and ready to play, he will contribute to Manchester United’s triumph.”
