Casemiro set to miss Sunderland but should be back soon

Manchester United go to Sunderland with another late team-sheet twist, but the concern around Casemiro does not sound serious. Michael Carrick says the midfielder has a shin issue, is expected to be fine for Nottingham Forest next Sunday, and has not played his final game for the club. Benjamin Šeško also misses out after another blow to the same shin problem.

Why Carrick is relaxed about Casemiro

Carrick's line on Casemiro was plain enough. "Case - he'll be fine for next week, it's nothing major," he said, after also explaining that the midfielder came off with a shin issue and had not been fully back with the group.

That matters because this is not being presented as a season-ending problem, or as the final chapter of his United spell. The source brief is clear that he is expected to be fit for the home match against Nottingham Forest next Sunday, and that Manchester United still have two league fixtures left in his Old Trafford spell, Forest at home and Brighton away.

The numbers fit the same picture. Casemiro has made 33 Premier League appearances this season and carries a 7.19 rating, which is why even a minor knock is awkward for Carrick at this stage of the run-in.

Sesko adds another selection problem

The other absence is Benjamin Šeško, and Carrick's explanation was more pointed. "Ben's been carrying a shin problem for some time and he took another quite a big bang on it. Obviously, he had to come off last week, so he wasn't ready today."

Šeško was withdrawn at half-time in United's 3-2 victory over Liverpool before missing the Sunderland squad. He has made 30 Premier League appearances and scored 11 goals, so his absence removes a useful attacking option rather than just a bit of depth.

United still go into the game in decent shape. They are third on 64 points after 35 matches, and their recent league form is WWWLD, which means the late injuries are a nuisance rather than a full reset.

Carrick also made five changes to the side for Sunderland, with Manuel Ugarte among the players who can help cover the gaps. The bigger issue is simply managing the final stretch without overplaying anyone who is carrying a knock. Casemiro looks set to return for Forest, and Brighton should still be part of the farewell run at Old Trafford.