Casemiro\u2019s importance grew under the Portuguese coach towards the end of last season, and now he is deemed a starter in the line-up ahead of Manuel Ugarte<\/a>, despite being 33 years old.<\/p>\n United are planning to sign a new midfielder in 2026, but as things stand, Casemiro is responsible for sitting in front of the back three and helping the team when in transition.<\/p>\n Brighton\u2019s Carlos Baleba has been identified as a target<\/a>, but replacing Casemiro in the team will be a huge challenge for whoever steps in.<\/p>\n Ugarte, 24, has a chance to prove his worth to the team throughout the season. The Uruguayan must improve drastically to take Casemiro\u2019s place.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo<\/a> could compete for a place deeper in midfield, although Amorim has made it clear this season that he sees the young England star as competition for Bruno Fernandes<\/a> instead.<\/p>\n Brazil were left shocked as Bolivia won 1-0 to secure a spot in the intercontinental play-offs for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n Miguel Terceros scored from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time to secure the home win, as Brazil struggled to cope without having Casemiro in midfield.<\/p>\n Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted that replacing Casemiro would be difficult<\/a>. The former Real Madrid boss started Chelsea\u2019s Andrey Santos in the middle of the pitch.<\/p>\n Casemiro was ruled out after picking up a yellow card<\/a> in Brazil\u2019s 3-0 win over Chile, meaning he could return to Manchester early ahead of the derby.<\/p>\n The five-time World Cup winners had the majority (58%) of possession, but couldn\u2019t take advantage of their 10 shots, as just three were registered on target. Casemiro may have been a defensive juggernaut for most of his career, but he can also unlock teams with his cutting-edge passing ability.<\/p>\n Before the match, Brazilian commentator Arnaldo Ribeiro warned that Santos was taking on a difficult role, as no one in the squad has Casemiro\u2019s experience.<\/p>\n \u201cCasemiro is a special case because he was Ancelotti\u2019s redemption from the coaches who preceded him,\u201d Ribeiro said, as quoted by Uol<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the last four years, no midfielder with Casemiro\u2019s characteristics, experience, and guile have emerged in Brazilian football. Casemiro was a fundamental pillar of both Real Madrid and Ancelotti.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, for Ancelotti, there was no other Casemiro, not even at Real Madrid, and there isn\u2019t one on the Brazilian national team.\u201d<\/p>\n Interestingly, these problems exist at United for Amorim too.<\/p>\n It was evident in Brazil\u2019s defeat to Bolivia.<\/p>\n Casemiro won 5 Champions League<\/a> titles during his time at Real Madrid and was recognised as one of the best midfielders in the world for a long time. It shouldn\u2019t come as a surprise that teams are finding it difficult to replace a player of that calibre.<\/p>\n Casemiro wasn\u2019t the only Man Utd player missed<\/p>\n United fans<\/a> are waiting for updates on Matheus Cunha\u2019s<\/a> injury.<\/p>\n The new signing picked up an injury in United\u2019s 3-2 win over Burnley<\/a> and missed the September international break as a result.<\/p>\n![\"Casemiro](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2233068508-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Riquelve Nata\/Sports Press Photo\/Getty ImagesBrazil suffer defeat without Casemiro <\/p>\n