Man Utd suffer crushing injury blow hours ahead of Liverpool FA Cup clash

Erik ten Hag could be forced to alter his lineup for Manchester United’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool, as midfield star Casemiro appears to have suffered a late injury

Casemiro has been replaced in the Brazil squad due to injury, suggesting that he’ll miss Manchester United’s grudge FA Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool.

The midfielder, 32, has been plagued by fitness issues all season and Brazil now say that he’ll now miss their upcoming fixtures during the upcoming international break. Casemiro’s nation are due to face England at Wembley next Saturday before another friendly clash with Spain three days later.

Late on Saturday evening, a statement from the Brazilian football federation confirmed that Porto striker Pepe had been called up to replace the United star, casting serious doubt over his involvement in Sunday’s mouth-watering FA Cup tie.

Brazil manager Dorival Junior added: “We have just received a report from Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar. From a pre-list made by the Brazilian National Team’s technical committee with 50 names, 13 of them were already away due to injury at their clubs. Unfortunately, we also lost Casemiro. Therefore, Pepe, from Porto, a native striker who now plays as a midfielder, is called up.”

The Red Devils are yet to provide an update on Casemiro, who’s played the full 90 minutes in their last three games. Manager Erik ten Hag would likely select Scott McTominay as his replacement and pair the Scotland international with teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo.

Ten Hag does, however, have four more players available than he did ahead of last Saturday’s 2-0 win at home to Everton, as Rasmus Hojlund, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mason Mount are all back in training.

United remain without centre-back Lisandro Martinez, who’s expected to be available after the international break after being called up by Argentina for their double-header. Left-back duo Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are longer term absentees, potentially both missing the rest of the season.

Mount’s possible return against Liverpool would mark his first appearance in four months, with Ten Hag saying during his pre-match press conference: “I’m convinced he’ll be a key player. He didn’t have the chance to prove this point. But he will be a very good player for United.

“It’s been really unfortunate and disappointing for him but also for us when you have such a class player in the middle and you can’t play him. I am sure that when he is fit and playing he will get into that rhythm, he will contribute to a successful Man United I’m sure.”