Manchester United suffer fresh injury scare as player 'asks to come off' in international game

Brazil head coach Fernando Diniz has confirmed that Casemiro suffered an ankle injury during his side's 1-1 draw against Venezuela overnight.

The Manchester United man started in central midfield at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiabá for the first of Brazil's two 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He was taken off as one of three changes on 79 minutes when Brazil were 1-0 up, before a late Eduard Bello goal levelled the scoreline.

There was no obvious issue when the substitution was made, with the 31-year-old taking his place on the substitutes bench. But speaking after the draw, Diniz confirmed suffered a 'blow' to the ankle which forced him off.

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“As there was a stop (in play), I decided to make the three substitutions,” Diniz told Globo Esporte. “We had a lot of control when they came on. Casemiro asked to come off due to a blow to his ankle.”

Brazil's second World Cup qualifier is in Uruguay on Wednesday, and the fitness of Casemiro will likely become clearer next week. Diniz will be expected to hold another press conference before that game, at which point he will likely give an update on his midfielder.

Erik ten Hag will be left sweating on the fitness of his midfielder, having already been managing a growing injury list. Casemiro is one of few United players yet to miss a game through injury and has started all 11 matches so far - he is the only outfield player to do so.

United travel to Sheffield United for the return of Premier League on Saturday night before hosting Manchester City a Old Trafford the following weekend.