Casemiro is set to take on the captain’s armband during Brazil’s upcoming international fixture, as per reports.
The Manchester United defensive midfielder has previously led the national team out 11 times, most recently during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Ecuador in January 2022.
According to reports in Brazilian outlet Globo, the former Real Madrid player’s captaincy could mark the beginning of a new era for the Selecao, following the resignation of their manager of six years, Tite, in the wake of a disappointing World Cup campaign.
Captain in Qatar Thiago Silva is currently out of action with a knee ligament injury for Chelsea and unavailable for selection, but the 38-year-old defender had previously stated that last year’s World Cup would be his last.
Interim Brazil manager Ramon Menezes has named a new-look Brazil side for the friendly against Morocco, with the 31-year-old midfielder the oldest outfield player named to a side which includes Chelsea’s new recruit, teenager Andrey Santos.
Casemiro is due to be handed the captain’s armband in Brazil’s friendly against Morocco
The midfielder has been a standout signing for United since his arrival over the summer
Interim head coach Ramon Menezes was appointed following the exit of Tite in late 2022
With a question mark over club captain Harry Maguire’s long-term involvement with United, Erik ten Hag could cast an eye over how his player rises to the occasion whilst on international duty.
Maguire has held the United captaincy since January 2020, and was allowed to keep the armband after Ten Hag’s arrival over the summer despite a patchy 2021/22 campaign.
But he is a rarely-used option in United’s back-line, and amidst reports that the former Leicester player might move on in the upcoming transfer window, the Dutch manager may look for greater stability in the leadership role.
Bruno Fernandes has taken up the mantle most often when Maguire isn’t on the pitch, but has yet to convince that he has the necessary qualities for captaincy.
The Portuguese international was most recently embroiled in controversy over his conduct in United’s humiliating 7-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield.
Sportsmail columnist Chris Sutton called for the player to be stripped of his captaincy after a day to forget.
Should Harry Maguire move on in the summer, Erik ten Hag will need to name a new captain
There are question marks over the efficacy of Bruno Fernandes as Maguire’s understudy for the captain’s armband
Watching how Casemiro takes up responsibilities against the north African side, who became the first African and Arab nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals in the tournament’s history in December, could be a turning point for Ten Hag.
United’s summer signing has impressed since his move to Old Trafford, becoming a undroppable talisman for Ten Hag’s ascendant side and one of the Red Devils’ players of the season.
Ten Hag’s faith in Casemiro was tested as he named the player to start against Real Betis in their Europa League second-leg tie last week, despite the risk of him picking up a ban.
But Casemiro put in a commanding and unblemished performance before being substituted in the second half as United cruised to a 1-0 victory that earned them a spot in the quarter-finals.
source: dailymail.co.uk
