Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has not trained with The Red Devils today and remains in his home country of Brazil, receiving treatment for an injury he sustained whilst with the national team.
Players who were away on international duty were expected to report back to Manchester United first-team training on Thursday morning but the 31-year-old was not at Carrington.
The club have confirmed that he will miss their trip across the Pennines to face South Yorkshire side Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday evening, describing the reason for his absence as a ‘small issue’. It is believed that Casemiro remained in Brazil after Manchester United gave him permission to do so.
He will also then miss the midweek clash against Danish champions Copenhagen at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening due to suspension as a result of the red card he picked up in their 3-2 defeat at home to Galatasaray.
Casemiro’s performances have come under scrutiny throughout this season with Manchester United languishing in the middle-of-the-table, having managed just five victories in their opening 11 matches across all competitions.
The former Porto and Sao Paulo midfielder joined Manchester United from Real Madrid, where he won three La Liga titles and five UEFA Champions Leagues, for a fee believed to be in the region of £61.5 million, signing a four-year deal with the club.
Erik ten Hag, as he seeks to find some rhythm and consistency against a Sheffield United side that remain winless in the Premier League, is likely to name a midfield three of Bruno Fernandes, Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount; despite Scott McTominay’s match-winning performance for United against Brentford a couple of weeks ago, prior to the international break, where he scored a brace in second-half stoppage-time to help The Red Devils come from behind and earn three vital points.