Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has confirmed that Casemiro will leave the club when his contract expires in June, ruling out any late reversal of the decision despite a recent upturn in the Brazilian's goalscoring form. The 34-year-old midfielder, who joined from Real Madrid for an initial £60m in 2022, will depart as a free agent after both parties mutually agreed to waive a performance-related clause that would have triggered a one-year extension upon reaching 35 Premier League starts.
Finality in the Manchester United midfield reshuffle
Speaking after United’s 2-1 victory over Brentford, in which Casemiro scored his ninth league goal of the season, Carrick addressed growing calls from supporters and teammates to retain the veteran. According to reports in The Guardian, Carrick described the situation as "pretty clear" and suggested the early announcement in January has allowed for a transparent transition. The decision to let the five-time Champions League winner walk is understood to be central to a wider squad restructuring led by the INEOS sporting department. By removing Casemiro’s £350,000-a-week wages from the books, United will gain significant flexibility under Profit and Sustainability (PSR) constraints as they target younger replacements such as Atalanta’s Éderson or Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.
Squad reaction and Casemiro’s statistical contribution
While the club appears committed to lowering the average age of the squad, the Brazilian’s departure leaves a void in leadership. Leny Yoro highlighted the midfielder's dressing room influence, stating he possesses experience that no other player in the squad can replicate. Despite criticisms of his mobility earlier in the campaign, Casemiro has remained a productive threat in the final third, with his nine-goal tally representing his best scoring return in domestic league football since moving to Europe in 2013. However, his age and the club's desire to move away from high-density short-term contracts have outweighed his statistical output. As reported by FootballTransfers, the veteran is now being linked with a potential move to MLS side Inter Miami, where he could reunite with several former La Liga contemporaries.
The Brazilian will remain available for selection through May as United look to secure European qualification before his four-year stint in Manchester officially concludes.