WATCH: Manchester United’s Casemiro avoids red for Brazil after insane challenge | OneFootball

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has a reputation in La Liga for finding the blind spot of the referee, and managing to make use of it. It seems he still has that ability, based on his latest exploits in the South American qualifiers.

His ability to utilise the ‘dark arts’ as the euphemism goes is part and parcel of his role on the pitch, and few were better at it during their peak than the Brazilian. The ability to get away with it did seem to desert him somewhat during his time at Manchester United, being sent off twice in his first campaign in the Premier League. In total, he has been sent off three times at Manchester United, more than his entire career at Real Madrid, despite playing nearly three times as many games for Los Blancos.

Casemiro called out for challenge during Brazil-Chile

On the one hand, there is the ability to escape punishment for fouls that may be borderline, but Marca are one of many outlets that have called Casemiro out for a challenge during Brazil’s 3-0 win over Chile. Back in the team under Carlo Ancelotti, the 33-year-old was seen appearing to step on and then place his weight on the ankle of Chile midfielder Felipe Loyola, who was already on the floor.

Despite the apparent egregiousness of the challenge, Casemiro avoided a red card, with the referee on the scene to present him with a booking. The VAR did not deem it serious enough to intervene either.

Back in contention under Ruben Amorim

Image via Molly Darlington / Getty Images

After a spell of seemingly falling out of favour, Casemiro has found his way back into the side Ruben Amorim. The veteran midfielder has started all three of Manchester United’s Premier League games this season, after starting all of their Europa League knockout games in the second half of last year. Casemiro will no doubt be targeting the 2026 World Cup with Brazil in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford.