Manager says Manchester United star has picked up injury on international duty

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Brazil coach Fernando Diniz has revealed that Casemiro picked up an ankle problem on international duty as Premier League giants Manchester United contend with yet another injury.

If Erik ten Hag had hoped that the international break would provide respite from Manchester United’s litany of fitness issues, then it seems he was very much mistaken.

Casemiro, according to Diniz, asked to be replaced with around 15 minutes remaining during Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Venezuela on Thursday night, the veteran midfielder having landed a ‘blow to his ankle’ which left him feeling unable to carry on.

Casemiro adds to Manchester United’s injury worries

“As there was a stop (in play), I decided to make the three substitutions,” Diniz tells Globo Esporte. “We had a lot of control when they came on.

“Casemiro asked to come off due to a blow to his ankle.”

It remains to be seen how serious the problem is. Manchester United will be hoping that the former Real Madrid enforcer will be ready to return ahead of a gruelling but largely-winnable set of fixtures in October and November, although Ten Hag can at least expect to call upon Kobbie Mainoo again sooner rather than later.

The sight of Casemiro being replaced by Andre Trindade – a player nearly ten years his junior – felt like something of a ‘passing of the baton’ moment too, like David Tennant regenerating into Matt Smith or Pierce Brosnan handing over the keys to his Aston Martin to Daniel Craig.

Andre Trindade steps up

Andre, the Fluminense ace who was recently linked with Manchester United, has long been viewed as Casemiro’s long-term successor on the international stage. And maybe the club stage too.

“It is very satisfying to be here always competing with the best, especially in the Brazilian team, which has the best (players) in the world,” Andre told Folha de Pernambuco pre-game.

“In recent years, Casemiro has been a top one player (in his position) in Europe. Playing in the best competitions. So it’s been a period of a lot of learning. I’m trying to learn a lot from him, from his movements, from his marking too, as he’s the player who most resembles me.”