Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti hails Casemiro and Matheus Cunha as he calls up pair again | OneFootball

Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti has lauded Manchester duo Casemiro and Matheus Cunha, revealing why he made the decision to call them up on another occasion.

Casemiro and Cunha enjoying a good season with United

Casemiro and Cunha have been two of United’s most consistent performers this season. The pair are a key reason behind the club’s current resurgence under Ruben Amorim.

Having signed for United from Wolverhampton Wanderers during the summer transfer window, Cunha netted his first goal for the club during last month’s 4-2 win over Brighton.

Cunha produced a brilliant finish from outside the box to give United the lead and set the team on their way to three consecutive Premier League victories.

Casemiro assisted Cunha’s goal before getting on the score sheet himself just a few minutes later. The midfielder followed that up by breaking the deadlock during last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest.

So far this term, Casemiro has netted three goals for United and provided one assist in nine top-flight appearances.

In the last international break, Cunha assisted against South Korea while Casemiro played 90 minutes in both friendlies vs. South Korea and Japan.

It was therefore no surprise when Cunha and Casemiro were named in the Brazil squad for their upcoming meeting with Senegal and Tunisia.

Ancelotti spoke to reporters and explained his thinking for selecting the two United stars.

Ancelotti praises Casemiro and Cunha

Asked why he made the shock decision to bring ex-Liverpool star Fabinho back into the national team, Ancelotti revealed that he wanted a player like Casemiro.

He said [as quoted by Manchester Evening News] “I want to find a profile that fits Casemiro’s characteristics. We have very good midfielders, but with different defensive profiles, and that’s why we called up Fabinho.”

“He has the characteristics, the structure, the knowledge of the position and the experience. He is a player who is currently playing and has already played at a very high level in Europe.”

On his decision to snub Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison, Ancelotti remarked, “We are evaluating technical criteria.”

“He’s a centre-forward, a striker with a profile different from João Pedro, Matheus Cunha or Vitor Roque, who like to play with the ball.”

Meanwhile, United are next in action on Saturday when they go away to Tottenham Hotspur. Featured image from Getty Images

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