Manchester United have confirmed that midfielder Casemiro will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the current season.
The 33-year-old joined Manchester United from Real Madrid in 2022 for a reported £70 million and went on to make 146 appearances for the club.
Casemiro enjoyed an impressive debut campaign, scoring the opening goal in United’s 2023 Carabao Cup final victory over Newcastle and helping the club finish third in the Premier League.
However, his long-term future came under scrutiny last year when new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe publicly criticised aspects of the club’s wage structure, describing some inherited contracts as involving players who were “not good enough” and “overpaid”.
In a statement following the announcement, Casemiro struck an emotional but determined tone:
“I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life.It is not time to say goodbye; there are many more memories to create during the next four months. We still have a lot to fight for together, and my complete focus will remain on giving my everything to help our club succeed.”
Decision taken long in advance
Despite external speculation over whether United would activate a one-year extension in Casemiro’s contract, club sources say there was never any internal uncertainty. Ratcliffe has repeatedly pointed to the Brazilian’s £375,000-per-week salary as emblematic of the financial excesses he is now determined to eliminate.
The decision not to trigger the option was made well before Thursday’s confirmation, aligning with Ratcliffe’s broader strategy to reduce costs and rebalance the wage bill.
Casemiro’s arrival in 2022 came only after United failed to land then-manager Erik ten Hag’s preferred midfield targets, including Frenkie de Jong and Declan Rice. Following heavy early-season defeats to Brighton and Brentford, United moved quickly to secure Casemiro, believing his experience and stature were essential.
The move was initially vindicated, but his second season proved more challenging as form dipped and scrutiny intensified. After a heavy defeat at Crystal Palace in May 2024, pundit Jamie Carragher famously suggested the midfielder should “leave football before football leaves you”.
Casemiro was later omitted from the FA Cup final starting line-up and declined involvement at Wembley, fuelling speculation that his United career was nearing its end. Yet his high wages made a move difficult, and he remained at Old Trafford.
Revival and renewed respect
Under former head coach Ruben Amorim, Casemiro’s standing initially fell sharply, at one point ranking behind academy midfielder Toby Collyer. But through discipline and commitment, the Brazilian steadily rebuilt his form.
He went on to start every knockout-stage match in United’s Europa League campaign last season, including the final, and has featured in 19 of a possible 20 Premier League games this term, missing only two through suspension.
That resurgence sparked renewed debate over whether United should keep him beyond this season. According to sources, it was to end that speculation that Casemiro requested clarity over his future.
Amorim has previously expressed confidence in the midfielder’s professionalism regardless of his contract situation a stance Casemiro reaffirmed in his statement.
With his future now clear, Casemiro is free to discuss potential moves ahead of the summer, after the World Cup, where he is expected to feature for Brazil.
For United, his departure opens the door to a major midfield rebuild, with Elliott Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton among those under consideration — and the exit of the club’s highest earner providing significant financial flexibility.
