Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar has revealed that a hip problem is keeping Antony on the sidelines.

The 22-year-old has missed Manchester United's last three matches against West Ham United, Real Sociedad and Aston Villa, with his last outing for the club coming against Sheriff Tiraspol on October 27.

The 20-time English champions have not revealed the reason for the attacker's absence, but Brazil's team doctor has said that it is related to "the flexor muscles of the right hip".

According to Lasmar, Antony is in "a recovery phase", with Tite's side hopeful that he will be fully fit by the start of the World Cup later this month.

"Antony had a small problem in the flexor muscles of the right hip, he is in the recovery process," said Lasmar. "We're in contact with the player, with the medical department. He's in a recovery phase.

"We have time for him to recover in time to be with us. This week is important, we are talking day by day. This final phase is important. A lot depends on this week. I spoke to him in the morning, he's feeling better, it's early. He hasn't started training with the group yet, he's in physical therapy."

Antony has not yet been ruled out of Man United's EFL Cup clash with Aston Villa on Thursday night.

Speaking during his press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag said that the forward would need to undergo another round of checks before a decision on his involvement was made.

Man United have another two games before the season breaks for the World Cup, following Thursday's clash against Villa with a trip to Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.

Brazil, meanwhile, will open their 2022 World Cup group-stage campaign against Serbia on November 24 before tackling Switzerland four days later.

The team's final Group G match will then take place against Cameroon on December 2, with many backing A Selecao to lift their sixth World Cup trophy in Qatar.

Antony has featured on 11 occasions for Brazil, scoring twice and contributing two assists.

Richarlison, Neymar, Raphinha, Gabriel Jesus, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Pedro and Gabriel Martinelli are also attacking options for the national team at the tournament in Qatar.

However, there was no spot in the final squad for Roberto Firmino, while Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Magalhaes were also notable absentees from the final selection. body check tags ::