Confirmed: Why Bruno Fernandes and fellow Amorim favourite are absent from training before Liverpool clash

Ruben Amorim conducted today’s training session without trusted midfield lieutenants Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro in attendance.

The Red Devils are undergoing their preparations for Sunday’s crunch clash away to arch-rivals Liverpool, who are on the back of three straight losses in all competitions.

United, meanwhile, entered the international break having just overseen a 2-0 win over Sunderland, which was crucial in the aftermath of their calamitous display at the Gtech Community Stadium a week prior.

Nonetheless, both sets of coaches have had some respite to gather their thoughts and begin planning for the forthcoming run.

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Simon Stone (of BBC Sport) confirmed this morning that young stars Shea Lacey, Jim Thwaites and Jack Fletcher had been drafted into first-team training on Thursday, while Fernandes and Casemiro missed out.

The senior pair were granted extra time off following their return from their respective international duties.

Casemiro started and played the full 90 minutes of Brazil’s 3-2 defeat to Japan on Tuesday night, and did the same throughout their 5-0 win against South Korea last Friday.

Fernandes, on the other hand, played 86 minutes in Portugal ’s clash with the Republic of Ireland last Saturday and just over an hour of their 2-2 draw with Hungary.

Still, you’d expect the players, particularly the skipper, would be named in the starting XI at Anfield.

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

So far this campaign, Casemiro has started five Premier League games . He was brought on in the closing stages of the Manchester derby and missed out entirely against Brentford due to the red card he’d been shown in the first half of the Chelsea win.

The 33-year-old is now in the final eight months of his contract at Old Trafford, although reports have suggested INEOS would be open to offering him fresh terms, provided he takes a pay cut on his monstrous wages.