Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Casemiro is ‘available’ to play during Manchester United’s FA Cup fifth round clash with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
The Brazilian was forced off just after half-time during Saturday’s dismal 2-1 home defeat by Fulham, his face red with blood following a horror collision with visiting midfielder Harrison Reed.
But, after being cleared of concussion, Casemiro could be straight back into the Manchester United XI at the City Ground. It takes more than that to keep this old warrior out of battle.
Ten Hag confirmed at his pre-match press conference that the veteran midfielder, days on from his 32nd birthday, is in line to make his seventh successive start in all competitions.
“He was bleeding, so had to come off (against Fulham),” Ten Hag tells the Manchester Evening News. “It was definitely not in our advantage that he couldn’t continue the game.
“But he is available for tomorrow.”
Casemiro fit for Manchester United’s FA Cup clash
Victor Lindelof is also fit to feature after hobbling off late on against The Cottagers. And that will come as a major sigh of relief, given that Diogo Dalot is the only first-team full-back at Ten Hag’s disposal. Lindelof is already featuring, on the left hand side, due to the absences of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
The long-serving £30 million Swede may also be entering his final few months as a Man United player as Ineos prepare for a big, and some would say belated, overhaul at Old Trafford. The same can probably be said of Casemiro.
While 32 is hardly retirement age, it is worth pointing out that the veteran battleaxe has tended to average around 60 games a season for club and country over the best part of a decade. To say Casemiro has a lot of miles on the clock would be an understatement.
Kobbie Mainoo, a man 14 years his junior, can still benefit immensely from a few more games alongside the Real Madrid icon, Casemiro taking the teenager under his wing.
The present and the future
“First off, I’d like to congratulate Kobbie. He’s only 18 and he’s already a starter at a club like Manchester United,” Casemiro tells the Man United website.
“It’s not easy. There is a lot of pressure. But I think United will have a top player for the next years, easily. He is a top player. He’s exceptional. He’s a humble, hard-working player. He knows how to listen. He’s a great player.
“I know Manchester United will have one of the best midfielders in the Premier League for the next years. Easily.”
“I think we have to recognise his value,” Casemiro adds. “He’s a great kid. I’m very happy that he’s on our side. As long as he keeps his head on straight, just as he’s doing now, I think we’ll have a great player for many, many years here at United.”
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