Casemiro returns to Man Utd training ahead of busy period
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro returned to training on Monday in a welcome boost for upcoming fixtures after suffering an injury while on international duty last week.
Casemiro captained Brazil twice in what was a disappointing pair of World Cup qualifying games against Venezuela and Uruguay that produced only one point. He was then forced to sit out his club’s win over Sheffield United as Premier League football resumed on Saturday.
The 30-year-old is suspended for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash with Copenhagen as a result of the red card he received on matchday two against Galatasaray.
But given that United have games against Manchester City, Newcastle United, Fulham, Copenhagen again and Luton Town before the next international break in mid-November, Casemiro’s return to fitness is still a very important moment for manager Erik ten Hag.
Sergio Reguilon is someone who could be in contention to face Copenhagen after his own return from injury, which stands to ease the turmoil that United have had to contend with defensively.
The Spaniard was signed on transfer deadline day as cover for the already injured Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, yet has ended up missing games himself that has forced the likes of Sofyan Amrabat, Diogo Dalot and Victor Lindelof to plug the gap at left-back. Reguilon actually returned to training last week, only for injury to rule him out against Sheffield United.
“Sergio, he got ill for Saturday so he was fit,” Ten Hag told a press conference on Monday. “He trained all week last week and [Sunday] he was back in part training. [Monday], he will train and then we have to assess if he is ready and game fit or if he can be involved in the squad.”
In addition to Shaw and Malacia, United remain without Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez at the back, while Jonny Evans is also an injury doubt to face Copenhagen.
