Casemiro shows true colours with Man United decision ahead of Man City clash

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro decided on returning to Carrington early after picking up a suspension for Brazil during their 3-0 victory over Chile in World Cup qualifying.

The Samba Boys have already booked their place for the international tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer. However, Carlo Ancelotti is still in the midst of observing the players that he has at his disposal for that tournament before making a final decision on his squad.

While Casemiro could not feature against Bolivia in the early hours of Wednesday morning due to the number of yellow cards he has accumulated, the Daily Mail understands the midfielder requested his early release from the squad.

It is believed that Casemiro was eager to return to United in order to be fighting fit for the Manchester derby this Sunday. The former Real Madrid now is thought to already be back at Carrington training ahead of the fixture.

So far this season, Casemiro has been an integral member of Ruben Amorim's squad. He has started all three of United's opening Premier League matches after the Reds failed to strengthen in the centre of the park.

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And while Amorim is growing ever more reliant on the Brazilian midfielder, Ancelotti was similarly effusive in his praise. He said: “Looking for a midfielder with Casemiro’s characteristics is impossible.

“There’s no other Brazilian player who has the same characteristics as Casemiro. But we have other players who can play in that position with different characteristics. It could be Andrey Santos, it could be Bruno.

“I also think that with different characteristics, because I’m not crazy, Paquetá can also play as a holding midfielder because he has the skill and technical characteristics to build play from the back.”

Sunday's trip to the Etihad Stadium could be Casemiro's last as a United player. The Brazilian is out of contract at the end of this season and it is not currently expected that his deal will be extended further.

With Casemiro back with the United camp, that is one less potential absentee worry for the Reds. Amorim is already sweating on the fitness of Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount after both were replaced with injuries against Burnley.

Diogo Dalot did not link up with the Portugal squad for this break due to a muscular issue. Meanwhile, Lisandro Martinez is a long-term absentee in the United squad but has returned to the grass at Carrington.

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