Casemiro will leave Manchester United at the end of this season when his current contract at Old Trafford expires.
The announcement of his departure brings to an end a four-year stay at Old Trafford, where he scored in the 2023 League Cup final victory, reached two FA Cup finals and won the competition in 2024.
Casemiro was also part of the United side that reached the Europa League final in May last season.
The Brazilian midfielder signed for the club in August 2022, with United having the option to trigger a 12-month extension at the end of the season.
However, Sky Sports News understands that the decision was made well in advance of Thursday’s announcement, with United deciding not to take up that option and not renew his contract, with the goal of revamping their midfield in the near future.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Casemiro has announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of this season and has expressed his gratitude to Manchester United fans.
The decision also provides clarity for the rest of the season as Casemiro prepares to represent Brazil at the World Cup this summer.
Sky Sports News previously reported in the autumn that Casemiro is one of the highest-paid players in the squad and therefore United are unlikely to renew his contract. This is because freeing up a wage slot frees up more space for future investment in the midfield area.
Casemiro said in a statement: “I will carry Manchester United for the rest of my life.”
Sunday, January 25th 4:25pm
4:30pm kickoff
“From the first day I left this beautiful stadium, I felt the passion of Old Trafford and the love that our supporters share for this special club.
“Now is not the time to say goodbye, we have many more memories to make over the next four months.
“We still have a lot of work to do together and, as always, I remain fully focused on doing everything I can to help the club succeed.”
As previously reported by Sky Sports News, United are interested in Carlos Bareva, Elliott Anderson and Adam Wharton ahead of the summer.
Casemiro enjoys Old Trafford’s renaissance as he prepares to bow out in style
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Rewind to May 2024, when Jamie Carragher claimed Casemiro was done with his job at Manchester United following the heavy defeat at Crystal Palace.
William Vitibili of Sky Sports:
“Leave football before it leaves you. Football has left him.” Jamie Carragher’s words were directed at Casemiro after the Brazilian’s disastrous performance in a heartbreaking 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. Casemiro was completely unwell, unable to move his legs – and lost his confidence.
There was a sense that United’s £70m bid for the midfielder in 2022 was no longer fit for purpose. Now he comes close to an incandescent spell at Old Trafford and leaves with his reputation completely intact.
Some eyebrows were raised when the 30-year-old five-time Champions League winner was traded from the Spanish capital to join Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United.
But United’s excellent first season, in which they finished third, was justified to some extent, as the ‘quick fix’ looked like a stroke of genuine genius. Naturally, he declined, followed by a difficult season and a decline in performance, but his importance will remain constant.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Casemiro brought Manchester United back to the front against Bournemouth last month.
Ruben Amorim used his experience and initially refused to use a veteran, but now relies on Casemiro in midfield. Important goals, such as the one that helped United end a six-year trophy drought in the form of the Carabao Cup, proved Casemiro’s continuity across different periods.
Now Michael Carrick, himself a world-class midfielder during his playing days, recognizes the importance of Casemiro when he started and impressed on Derby Day at Old Trafford.
Success is relative, especially when it comes to Manchester United’s current situation compared to the situation in which Real Madrid’s Casemiro left. But like his predecessor Raphael Varane, Casemiro’s importance in a team that thrives on transition will be a point in his career that he looks back on fondly.
