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.

Erik ten Hag has confirmed Casemiro may not be fit for Sunday’s derby with Manchester City

Casemiro (right) has trained this week but Ten Hag said he ‘isn’t 100 per cent’ back to fitness

Ten Hag would ideally have such an important big game player fit and available for the derby

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.”

Soucre: independent