Erik ten Hag reveals Casemiro injury latest ahead of Manchester derby

The midfielder is facing a race against time to be fit to face Manchester City at Old Trafford

Casemiro is an injury doubt for Sunday’s Manchester derby with Erik ten Hag saying the midfielder faces a race against time to be fit to face Manchester City at Old Trafford.

The £63m signing suffered an ankle injury while playing for Brazil and missed Manchester United’s 2-1 win at Sheffield United while he was suspended for their Champions League victory over FC Copenhagen.

“‘Casa’ is in a race against the clock, [he is] not 100 percent,” said manager Ten Hag, whose defensive injury problems are easing with Aaron Wan-Bissaka back in training.

Ten Hag said United are in discussions with the FA as they hope Alejandro Garnacho will not be charged and banned for a tweet about goalkeeper Andre Onana that featured two emojis of gorillas.

The winger has since deleted the post while Onana defended his teammate and Ten Hag said: “We are talking with FA to see what [happens], I can confirm that. I want to emphasise that we are together and united and you have seen the post of Andre Onana.”

Edinson Cavani served a three-match ban during his time at United for a tweet and Garnacho may be at risk of a similar punishment.

United host champions City on a run of three consecutive wins in all competitions and Ten Hag believes his side are improving, though he feels they have some way to go.

He added: “This is a hard team to beat and they find a way to win so we are going in the right direction.”