Double Casemiro blow has come at worst time for Manchester United star

Erik ten Hag would have grimaced at the news that Casemiro came off with a complaint in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup qualifier with Venezuela last week.

Perhaps the most alarming thing was that the battle-hardened warrior had himself asked to be subbed. United have had 16 players ruled out with injury at some stage already. They may have felt they had escaped a 17th when Casemiro was named in the Brazil XI during the early hours of Wednesday.

Not so. Though the 31-year-old played through the whole 90 minutes of the 2-0 defeat to Uruguay - his nation’s first loss to La Celeste since 2001 - the midfielder was clearly not at ease.

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United have advised Casemiro to stay in Brazil to recover from his 'small issue' meaning he misses Saturday’s trip to Sheffield United. The Blades are maybe the team United want to face first coming back from the international break.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side have picked up just one point in their first eight matches and the last time they played at Bramall Lane, they were slapped 8-0. On Thursday, the Blades boss admitted the club have had a “shocking week” when it comes to injuries, all after star defender Chris Basham was hospitalised with a serious leg break suffered in the 3-1 defeat to Fulham.

Their strike in that game came via an own goal meaning the last time one of their own players scored in a match was over a month ago. A rare 8pm Saturday night kick-off under the lights away from home is fraught with danger but United should still have more than enough to win even without Casemiro, the club's current top scorer (four goals).

Sofyan Amrabat is the go-to guy in his wake, the Morrocan