Casemiro is set to depart Manchester United this summer, bringing an end to a four-year spell at Old Trafford that saw significant highs and a challenging period under former manager Ruben Amorim. The five-time Champions League winner, signed for £70 million from Real Madrid in 2022, will leave by mutual agreement, with his £350,000-a-week contract not being extended, as reported by SPORTbible.
The veteran midfielder’s time at United was marked by a remarkable resurgence in the latter half of the current season, following a period where he found himself on the fringes of the squad. Casemiro was famously dropped by Amorim after a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in December 2024. For nine subsequent games, he was out of the starting eleven, even serving as an unused substitute in seven of those matches, with rookie Toby Collyer surprisingly preferred ahead of him in the pecking order.
Reflecting on that challenging period, Casemiro expressed immense pride in his ability to fight his way back into contention. “It may have been one of my greatest achievements because, with all the humility in the world, the most normal thing would be to say: ‘Hey, the coach isn’t using me? No problem, I’ve already won a lot of titles in my career, I’ve already achieved many things in my life and I’m here, the coach doesn’t want to count on me, let him go and I’ll stay here.’ But no. I kept working, I kept trying to show the coach that he was wrong, that he was mistaken about me,” Casemiro told ESPN Brasil. “I could have, as we say in the world of football, given up, moved on, and that’s it. But I kept working, kept trying to change the coach’s opinion, and I ended up succeeding, I finished playing and having a great end to the season, playing in a Europa League final. Despite having had several achievements in my career, this may have been one of the greatest achievements I had: reversing the coach’s opinion. I wasn’t playing because of the coach’s opinion. And he ended up putting me in to play because of my merit and work, entirely my own.”
Carrick’s impact and a return to form
Casemiro’s determination paid off significantly under interim boss Michael Carrick. He became an integral figure in Manchester United’s push for a Champions League return and their run to the Europa League final, where they ultimately fell 1-0 to Spurs in Bilbao. Under Carrick, United experienced a strong finish to the season, winning 10 of their 14 games and climbing to third in the Premier League table. Casemiro himself has featured 33 times in the Premier League this term, contributing nine goals.
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The Brazilian midfielder also offered strong endorsement for Carrick to take on the permanent managerial role, stating that the interim boss “completely deserves it” and “has everything to be a great manager of Manchester United” as he has “already demonstrated very good qualities,” according to Joao Castelo-Branco of ESPN Brasil.
A dignified departure
Despite his late-season resurgence and calls from some Manchester United supporters for him to remain, Casemiro confirmed there was “no chance” of him staying at the club. His decision to leave was driven by a desire for a dignified exit, on his own terms.
“Mostly because of what I said, you know? Go out the big door, I think it was four beautiful, wonderful years and I am eternally grateful not only to the club, but to the fans. But I think I have to leave in good terms, I have to go out on top. I will be an eternal United fan here in England and I just have to thank all the love from the fans,” he explained.
Casemiro’s departure marks the end of an era for a player who, despite recent challenges, played a crucial role in some of United’s recent successes and leaves having demonstrated remarkable resilience.
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Sources: www.sportbible.com, ESPN
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