Brazil caretaker manager Fernando Diniz has confirmed Manchester United midfielder Casemiro injured his ankle in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Venezuela.
The Selecao have taken seven points from the nine they have so far in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, with their perfect start coming to an end this week.
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes scored his first goal for Brazil to break the deadlock, but Eduardo Bello’s stunning late strike earned Venezuela a point.
Using two of his five substitutions heading into the closing stages of the game, Diniz opted to make a triple change late on with his side still in front, with Casemiro voluntarily withdrawing from the action to be replaced by Liverpool transfer target Andre.
In an interview with reporters, Diniz explained why Casemiro was withdrawn.
“Because there was a stoppage (in the game), I decided to make three substitutions. We were very much in control when they came on. Casemiro asked to leave because of an ankle injury,” he said.
Brazil return to action on Tuesday with a trip to Uruguay, now managed by former Argentina and Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa.
Should his ankle problems subside, Casemiro is expected to return to United action next Saturday when they travel to Sheffield United in the Premier League. They then host Kobenhavn in the Champions League and welcome rivals Manchester City to Old Trafford.
United’s start to the 2023/24 season has been marred by various injury problems and they could do without adding Casemiro’s name to the absentee list.
Director of football John Murtough confirmed this week that United are looking into the reasons for this injury backlog so early in the campaign.
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