{"id":112278,"date":"2026-01-22T22:56:47","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T22:56:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=112278"},"modified":"2026-01-22T22:56:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T22:56:47","slug":"midfielder-casemiro-to-leave-man-utd-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=112278","title":{"rendered":"Midfielder Casemiro to leave Man Utd this summer"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Manchester United\u00a0have said midfielder Casemiro will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of this season.<\/p>\n

The 33-year-old\u00a0joined from Real Madrid\u00a0for \u00a370m in 2022 and has made 146 appearances.<\/p>\n

He scored the opening goal in the\u00a02023 Carabao Cup final win\u00a0over\u00a0Newcastle\u00a0as\u00a0Manchester United\u00a0finished third in the Premier League in his first season.<\/p>\n

But last year, he was mentioned by\u00a0the new co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe,\u00a0who told BBC Sport some players were \u201cnot good enough\u201d and \u201coverpaid\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Brazil international said, \u201cI will carry\u00a0Manchester United\u00a0with me throughout my entire life.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not time to say goodbye; there are many more memories to create during the next four months.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe still have a lot to fight for together; my complete focus will, as always, remain on giving my all to help our club succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Move gives Man Utd flexibility\u2019 \u2013 analysis<\/h2>\n

Simon Stone<\/strong>, Manchester United reporter<\/p>\n

While there has been external uncertainty about whether the club would exercise the additional year\u2019s option in Casemiro\u2019s contract, internally, there was none.<\/p>\n

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly and privately highlighted the eye-watering \u00a3375,000-a-week wages paid to the Brazilian as an example of the profligacy that predated his arrival.<\/p>\n

There was no way Ratcliffe would countenance extending that at a time when he is determined to cut costs and bring the wage bill down. Sources say the decision not to trigger the option was made some time ago, well in advance of Thursday\u2019s announcement.<\/p>\n

It is worth remembering that Casemiro only came to United in 2022 because the club had failed to land Erik ten Hag\u2019s top choices for the central midfield role he felt was essential to the club\u2019s strength.<\/p>\n

United missed out on Frenkie de Jong and Declan Rice, and after starting the season with successive defeats by\u00a0Brighton\u00a0and\u00a0Brentford, where they lost 4-0 with Christian Eriksen and Fred in midfield, they completed the \u00a370m deal with Real Madrid for Casemiro.<\/p>\n

The reality is the Brazilian would not have moved unless United matched his wages and gave a four-year deal \u2013 and Ten Hag was adamant they could not go into the bulk of the season without someone of stature coming in.<\/p>\n

That stance was initially justified, as Casemiro\u2019s performances in the first season were good, with United finishing third and reaching the FA Cup final. It was the second campaign when the problems came. Casemiro\u2019s form deserted him, and the cost to bring him to the club began to look ridiculous.<\/p>\n

After a 4-0 defeat at\u00a0Crystal Palace\u00a0in May 2024, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher famously declared, \u201cLeave football before football leaves you\u201d about the former Real Madrid man.<\/span> At the end of that season, when he was left out of Ten Hag\u2019s FA Cup final starting line-up, Casemiro opted not to be involved at Wembley \u2013 and it seemed his time at United was over.<\/p>\n

But his salary proved prohibitive, and he stayed, eventually becoming an example to others of how a player can turn their situation around with hard work and commitment.<\/p>\n

Former head coach Ruben Amorim repeatedly said at one stage Casemiro had dropped so far down in his thinking he was behind Toby Collyer, who is about to join Hull City on loan, in the pecking order.<\/p>\n

Slowly, though, the 33-year-old regained his form.<\/p>\n

He started every game in the knockout phase, including the final, in last season\u2019s Europa League campaign and has started 19 games out of a possible 20 in the Premier League this term, given he has missed two through suspension.<\/p>\n

It is that form which brought debate about whether he should stay or not in the summer and, according to sources, it is to avoid that continuing speculation Casemiro asked for today\u2019s announcement to be made.<\/p>\n

Amorim previously said he had no doubts Casemiro would remain committed for the remainder of the season no matter what his contract situation was, and the player confirmed that in his statement.<\/p>\n

However, he is now free to talk to potential suitors to sort out his future after this summer\u2019s World Cup, for which he is expected to be in Brazil\u2019s squad.<\/p>\n

United, meanwhile, can move forward with their midfield transfer targets \u2013 Elliott Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton are high on that list \u2013 knowing their highest earner leaving gives them very useful financial flexibility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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