Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has pulled out of the Brazil squad due to injury, throwing his participation in Sunday’s FA Cup showdown with Liverpool in major doubt.
Brazil are in action against England and Spain during March’s international break on 23 March and 26 March respectively.
Casemiro was expected to feature in those games but the Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed on Saturday night the midfielder is no longer available for those games.
‘The coach of the Brazilian team, Dorival Júnior, announced, this Saturday (16), the call-up of striker Pepê, from Porto (POR),’ a statement from the CBF read.
‘He was called up to replace Casemiro, from Manchester United, who was cut due to injury and is out of the friendlies against England and Spain, on March 23 and 26, respectively.’
Brazil boss Dorival Junior said of Casemiro: ‘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, Pepê, from Porto, a native striker who now plays as a midfielder, is called up.’
The five-time World Cup winners have not disclosed the nature of Casemiro’s injury or how long he is expected to be out for.
But news of his withdrawal suggests the former Real Madrid star will not be available for United on Sunday afternoon when they host their arch-rivals in their quarter-final clash.
Casemiro has started 21 games in his second season at United but has missed almost three months of action after suffering a hamstring injury in October.
He joins Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia on the injured list.
United will however have Rasmus Hojlund, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka available however with Mason Mount in contention to make his first appearance since November.
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