Manchester United dealt crushing injury blow hours ahead of Liverpool clash

Manchester United are set to be without star midfielder Casemiro for their FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool due to injury.

The 32-year-old has been plagued with fitness issues all season, but appeared to be finding some rhythm in Erik ten Hag's side - having played all of their last nine outings.

However, the Brazil national team have now confirmed that Casemiro has not been selected for their upcoming fixtures against England and Spain, with team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar citing an unspecified injury as the reason for his omission.

This was further confirmed by head coach Dorival Junior on Saturday, who when announcing his 26-man squad explained that Porto midfielder Pepe had been drafted in, in place of the United player.

"We have just received a report from Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar," he said.

"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, Pepe, from Porto, a native striker who now plays as a midfielder, is called up."

The Red Devils are yet to provide an update on Casemiro, but this news indicates that he will be absent for Sunday afternoon's mouth-watering clash against Liverpool.

He joins Lisandro Martinez and fellow defenders Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Tyrell Malacia on the sidelines, along with youngster Omari Forson and striker Anthony Martial. Back-up goalkeeper Altay Bayindi is also out.

Ten Hag does, however, have four more players available than he did ahead of last Saturday's 2-0 win at home to Everton, with Rasmus Hojlund, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mason Mount are all back in training.

It's safe to say that United's injury woes pale in comparison to that of Liverpool, with the only possible return being that of Ibrahima Konate - although it seems unlikely the Frenchman will pass a late fitness test.

The Reds are thus set to be without 10 senior players for their final game ahead of the March international break, with the likes of Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones all hopeful of returns at the beginning of April.