Carlo Ancelotti’s latest Brazil squad contains two Manchester United players ahead of the November international break.
Manchester United are on a four-match unbeaten run, which means that Ruben Amorim’s team are performing better than they were at the beginning of the season.
In turn, that should mean that more members of United’s first team should be in contention for earning call-ups this month.
United had 18 players on international duty in October, including Paraguay debutant Diego Leon, and they will all be hoping for another call-up this month.
Two players deemed regulars on the international stage are Brazil duo Casemiro and Matheus Cunha, who have been selected for Brazil’s upcoming friendly matches against Senegal and Tunisia.
Carlo Ancelotti praises Casemiro and Matheus Cunha
Casemiro and Cunha are among Ancelotti’s most trusted players. They are both expected to play a key role in the World Cup next summer.
For instance, Cunha has been selected in three of the four squads since Ancelotti became Brazil manager. He missed the September international break due to a muscle injury picked up in United’s 3-2 win over Burnley.
The Brazilian forward picked up his second assist for Brazil in a 5-0 win over South Korea last month, whereas Casemiro played the entirety of his nation’s last two matches.
Casemiro has a similarly important role in the Brazil national team as he does at United, where he has started in every Premier League game so far this season.
On Monday, Ancelotti announced his Brazil squad for the November international break. The Italian announced the surprise inclusion of former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho before explaining that he needed another player like Casemiro in his team.
“I want to find a profile that fits Casemiro’s characteristics,” Ancelotti said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
“We have very good midfielders, but with different defensive profiles, and that’s why we called up Fabinho.
“He has the characteristics, the structure, the knowledge of the position and the experience. He is a player who is currently playing and has already played at a very high level in Europe.”
Ancelotti also spoke about his decision to call up Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison when referencing Cunha’s profile as well as João Pedro and United-linked Vitor Roque.
“We are evaluating technical criteria,” the Brazil manager added.
“He’s a centre-forward, a striker with a profile different from João Pedro, Matheus Cunha or Vitor Roque, who like to play with the ball.”
Has Casemiro ever won a tournament with Brazil?
Casemiro has won one trophy as a senior Brazil international.
The former Real Madrid midfielder was part of the Copa America-winning team in 2019.
Two years later, he was part of the Brazil team that finished as runner-up in the Copa America.
Casemiro won three trophies with Brazil at youth level, including the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2011 and the South American Championship at U17 and U20 level.
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