Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that he was forced to withdraw Casemiro at the interval against Newcastle United on Wednesday evening due to an injury for the Brazilian.

The 31-year-old has recently been missing with an ankle issue which he picked up while representing his country during the October international break.

Casemiro returned to action against Newcastle in the EFL Cup, and he was handed the captain's armband for the Red Devils, as Bruno Fernandes was named among the substitutes.

The experienced midfielder picked up a first-half booking against the Magpies, and it had been thought that he was withdrawn at the interval of his side's 3-0 loss for tactical reasons.

However, Ten Hag said after the match that the Brazil international had suffered another injury.

"He was injured. Just before half-time, he got an injury. That's why we had to take him off," Ten Hag told reporters during his post-match press conference.

Man United are yet to provide an update on his fitness, but he is now seemingly a major doubt for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Casemiro has scored four times and registered one assist in 12 appearances for the Red Devils this season, but his defensive performances have been called into question.

Man United were 2-0 behind to Newcastle when the South American left the field, and Eddie Howe's side scored another in the second half to secure a three-goal success at Old Trafford to advance to the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

The Red Devils have now lost eight of their opening 15 matches of a season for the first time since the 1962-63 campaign, while they have been beaten in five of their first 10 fixtures at home for the first time since 1930-31.

Thousands of the club's fans left before the full-time whistle on Wednesday, and Ten Hag has said that his side 'are not deserving' of their support at this moment in time.

"Thank you that you are behind us. In these difficult moments, you are still behind us. We don't deserve it in this moment because we are not giving top performances," he told reporters when asked for a message for the fans.

"We are trying. But trying is not good enough in top football. We know that. We have to do things better and we have to raise our standards."

Man United will take on Fulham, Copenhagen and Luton Town in their three matches before the season halts once again for another round of international matches. body check tags ::