- Casemiro has featured in Manchester United’s nine previous fixtures
- Erik ten Hag has revealed Mason Mount could play for their clash vs Liverpool
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The Brazilian national team have revealed that Casemiro could miss Manchester United’s crunch FA Cup quarter-final match against Liverpool on Sunday due to injury.
The midfielder, who arrived at Old Trafford in a £60million move from Real Madrid back in 2022, played the full 90 minutes during the Red Devils’ 2-0 victory against Everton last Saturday.
But it appears the 32-year-old could be sidelined for their game at Old Trafford, with his national side stating he has not been selected for their upcoming fixtures against England and Spain.
The nature of the injury is still unknown, but according to Brazil’s team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, Casemiro will not be available for selection, having been replaced in the squad by Porto midfielder, Pepe.
On Saturday, head coach Dorival Junior announced his 26-man squad for the two friendlies next week and explained that Pepe had been drafted in, in place of the Man United player.
‘We have just received a report from Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar,’ the Brazil manager said.
‘From a pre-list made by the Brazilian National Team’s technical committee with 50 names, 13 of them were already away due to injury at their clubs. Unfortunately, we also lost Casemiro.
‘Therefore, Pepe, from Porto, a native striker who now plays as a midfielder, is called up’.
The announcement was made during a press conference, with the five-time World Cup winners also writing on X (formerly Twitter): ‘The coach of the Brazilian team, Dorival Junior, announced, this Saturday (16), the call-up of striker Pepe, from Porto (POR).
‘He was called up to replace Casemiro, from Manchester United (ING), who was cut due to injury and is out of the friendlies against England and Spain, on March 23 and 26, respectively.’
It comes as United manager Erik ten Hag revelead this week that his side could welcome several stars back from injury, including midfielder Mason Mount.
Mount has not featured for the Red Devils since their 1-0 victory against Luton back in November after sustaining a calf injury. The former Chelsea star arrived at Old Trafford in the summer for £60m but has endured an injury blighted season, making just 12 appearances for his new club.
‘It is really unfortunate, really disappointing for him,’ Ten Hag said on Mount’s injury woes this season.
‘But also for us when you have such a class player in your middle and you cannot play him. He has had three injuries, as we all know, so he didn’t, at any time, get into a rhythm.
‘But I am sure when he is fit, he will play, he will get into that rhythm and he will contribute to a successful Manchester United.”
Casemiro, meanwhile, has featured in United’s last nine games across all competitions, notably playing 90 minutes in their last three matches against Everton, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.
His absence will be a big blow for United, with the Brazilian having already missed a big chunk of the season after he was sidelined with a hamstring injury back in November.
Brazil will take on Gareth Southgate’s side on Saturday at Wembley, with Vinicius Jr, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta all being named in the squad.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was also not named in the squad, with the shot stopper having been ruled out with a hamstring issue in February.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
