Casemiro set to leave Manchester United at season’s end
Manchester United are preparing for life without Casemiro, with the Brazilian midfielder set to depart Old Trafford when the current campaign concludes, reports BritPanorama.
The club has opted against extending the contract of the 33-year-old, effectively ending his tenure at the Theatre of Dreams.
Having arrived as one of Erik ten Hag’s first signings during a challenging managerial spell in 2022, Casemiro has proven instrumental on the pitch, earning a weekly wage of £350,000. The five-time Champions League winner’s exit was officially confirmed by United on Tuesday.
Club officials have moved swiftly to identify potential replacements, with a shortlist of four midfield targets already established. Among those under consideration are three England internationals: Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott. Their recent performances have caught the attention of the Red Devils’ hierarchy.
Completing the list is Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, a 22-year-old Cameroon international, adding a foreign perspective to the United’s domestic options. The recruitment team is actively monitoring all four players to determine who would best fill the void left by Casemiro.
Securing a suitable new No 6 appears to be the priority for United as they head into the summer transfer window. Baleba had drawn interest from the club in the previous summer, hence marking him as a long-term target. Though the prospect of acquiring the Brighton midfielder during the January transfer window has been debated, the likelihood of such a move remains slim.
The ongoing vacancy in the managerial role at United is seen as a significant barrier to any winter acquisitions for the Cameroonian. With no permanent manager to guide recruitment, the club seems willing to hold off on major transfer decisions until the summer.
Casemiro has expressed his emotional farewell to supporters through statements on the club’s official website and his personal Instagram account. “I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life,” he reflected in one post. The midfielder highlighted the passion he felt at Old Trafford since his arrival, maintaining, “It is not time to say goodbye; there are many more memories to create during the next four months.”
As discussions of Casemiro’s departure echo through Old Trafford, there’s a growing reminder that even the most celebrated players face the inevitable march of time in football.
