19 October 2023 , 14:56
1186
0
Manchester United have confirmed that Casemiro will miss Saturday's clash with Sheffield United.
The midfielder, 31, suffered an injury while on international duty with Brazil, where he'll stay to recover from a "small issue." Casemiro played the full 90 minutes against Uruguay on Tuesday in a World Cup qualifier, despite coming off injured against Venezuela last Friday.
United confirmed on Thursday afternoon: "Casemiro was absent [from training], having remained in Brazil, on the club's advice, to recover as swiftly as possible from a small issue picked up while playing for his country.
"He will be unavailable for Saturday's game with the Blades but is expected back at Carrington early next week to resume training, although he is suspended for the UEFA Champions League encounter with FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford, after being sent off in the defeat to Galatasaray."
The ex- Real Madrid star has had a difficult start to the season for the Red Devils, despite being their leading goalscorer. There are concerns over Casemiro's sustainability after signing a lucrative four-year contract last August when United agreed a deal worth up to £70million, which prospective new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to have questioned in a meeting with current United chiefs.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Gary Neville also questioned the transfer back in March, saying on The Overlap : "Casemiro, there's no doubt - we all said it by the way - £60m? £70m? And £20m-a-year [contract] for five years is a £170m investment. That is a massive investment. It's not a smart or shrewd signing when you look at it from a [big picture] point of view. None of us thought that."
Erik Ten Hag signed Sofyan Amrabat on loan on transfer deadline day to bolster his midfield options, with Mason Mount also arriving for £60m this summer, while Fred departed to Turkish giants Fenerbahce for around £13m. Amrabat, 27, gives the United manager more options and someone to cover Casemiro, which he's set to do on Saturday at Bramall Lane.
Casemiro has been criticised for his performances this season (Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)Have your say! How should Manchester United line up on Saturday? Give us your starting XI in the comments section.
Basement-dwellers Sheffield United have endured a nightmare start to the campaign, picking up just one point in eight games. Boss Paul Heckingbottom said of the fixture at his pre-match press conference. "It's three points," under-fire Heckingbottom affirmed.
"We know what we're in for this season and we're up for that fight. We're going to be in our own little league at the bottom and that's fine, unless we can change that around by positive results. It [a win] changes the mood and is reward for the effort of the players. We'll be fighting and giving it all we can to get those three points."