Manchester United has announced that Casemiro will leave the club at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season. The Brazilian midfielder has been a vital player for United since signing late in the Summer 2022 window and leaves a sizeable hole in an already lacking midfield group.
The
soon to be 34 year old joined the Reds from Real Madrid for a deal worth £60 million with some £10 million in add-ons. In his time at the club he has played a big part in winning the 2023 League Cup and 2024 FA Cup, making 146 appearances and scoring 21 goals as a Red.
“I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life,” Casemiro said in a club statement. “From the first day that I walked out at this beautiful stadium, I felt the passion of Old Trafford and the love that I now share with our supporters for this special club.”
“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; my complete focus will, as always, remain on giving my everything to help our club to succeed.”
Casemiro’s status as a fan favorite was easy to predict given his role in addressing a big need, top-level experience and status as a serial winner with Los Blancos. Like Raphael Varane before him, he was the mold of player that many United teams had lacked in their push for silverware post-Sir Alex Ferguson. While it is fair to acknowledge that he isn’t the player he once was, his performances are still vital to the team’s success, as was evident in the 2-0 Manchester Derby win at the weekend.
United already needed more midfield talent, and now there should be greater urgency to identify and bring in the caliber of player who can replace one of the greats in the modern game.
Manchester United will next face Arsenal at the Emirates in the Premier League on Sunday.
