Casemiro injury situation explained

The man whose goal, in the closing stages of the game at Nottingham Forest in the previous round, took Erik ten Hag's team into the last eight, misses out on the opportunity to face our fiercest rivals.

Although he had been sidelined with an injury, the 32-year-old returned at the back end of January, and featured nine times since then.

Speaking before kick-off, the manager told ITV1: "It does [affect us] because Casemiro is very experienced and a very important player for us in organisation, also on the ball, he brings composure to the team and he can bring great passes to bring our frontline into great positions, especially with the three with their immense speed.

"You miss, of course, a passer like Casemiro."

The Brazilian's absence, with a muscle injury, means Kobbie Mainoo and Scott McTominay are forming the midfield base, behind captain Bruno Fernandes.

The Selecao skipper is also set to miss his country's upcoming games against England and Spain.

The friendly against Gareth Southgate's men takes place at Wembley next Saturday, and would have presented a chance to come up against club colleagues Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford.