In a significant setback for Manchester United, midfielder Casemiro has been sidelined for an extended period due to a hamstring injury, as confirmed by the club on Friday. This unfortunate development further compounds the challenges faced by manager Erik ten Hag.
Despite missing three previous matches, the 31-year-old made his return as the captain of Erik ten Hag’s squad in the League Cup match against Newcastle on Wednesday. However, his comeback was marred by a halftime substitution during a 3-0 defeat, and United has now disclosed that he will be absent for a crucial series of upcoming fixtures.
The club released a statement, stating, “Casemiro will be out for several weeks due to a hamstring injury suffered during our Carabao (League) Cup defeat to Newcastle United on Wednesday. The Brazilian midfielder was withdrawn at half-time due to the issue, and subsequent assessment has revealed a strain that will keep him out for a number of weeks.”
Manchester United currently finds themselves in the eighth position on the Premier League table, with five defeats in their first ten games. Their path to the Champions League knockout stages also presents a considerable challenge, making Casemiro’s absence a significant concern for the team.