Casemiro of Brazil jogs after a disallowed goal during the match between Brazil and Chile as part of the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier at Maracana Stadium on September 04, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.placeholder image
Casemiro of Brazil jogs after a disallowed goal during the match between Brazil and Chile as part of the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier at Maracana Stadium on September 04, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. | Getty Images
The latest round of international games has come to a conclusion
The first international break of the 2025-26 campaign has now come to an end with a handful of Manchester United players in action on Tuesday night and into the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Casemiro was not in action for Brazil as they lost 1-0 to Bolivia. The five time World Cup winners had already qualified for the 2026 tournament with a 3-0 win over Chile on Friday. Casemiro featured in that game but picked up a yellow card that meant he was suspended for the game in the early hours of Wednesday.
The Daily Mail has reported the 33-year-old is already back at Carrington as he prepares for Sunday’s Manchester derby. Given his suspension, the player was given permission to leave South America early and get back to England to start preparing for Sunday’s clash with Manchester City.
The former Real Madrid man looked like he would leave United this summer after struggling to break into the starting XI last season. However, he has worked to become a key member of Amorim’s side.
What Ruben Amorim has said about Casemiro
"I think I'm also learning how to use players like Casemiro and, like you said, without a lot of options, we are trying to put our players in the best positions and that helps us a lot," the United boss said back in March.
"So I'm trying to find the best solution for the team, and that helps us to play all the time with the same team. It was hard, sometimes we lost some pace in the end of the games, but we are learning.
"I think Casemiro gave us a little bit of calm. Sometimes, he takes a little bit long when he was not playing too much, you feel it in the game against Newcastle. The pace was not there but he is giving that first moment of build-up, and then you can push Bruno [Fernandes] near the goal, so he's dangerous there."
Manuel Ugarte in action for Uruguay
Elsewhere on Wednesday morning, Manuel Ugarte played the full 90 minutes as Uruguay drew 0-0 with Chile. Marcelo Bielsa’s side have qualified for the World Cup, as their place at the 2026 tournament was confirmed with a 3-0 win over Peru on Friday.
Ugarte did not start that game but came off the bench. However, he was given the nod against Chile as he helped his nation keep a clean sheet. He faces the long journey back to England but with the clash against Man City on Sunday, there is time for the player to get prepared.
He has started all three Premier League games behind Casemiro and is likely to be on the bench again at the Etihad Stadium.
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