Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on August 30, 2025 in Manchester, England.placeholder image
Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on August 30, 2025 in Manchester, England. | Getty Images
He reportedly rejected the chance to join a Saudi Pro League club in favour of playing for Man United.
It’s fair to say that things aren’t great at Old Trafford right now, with Ruben Amorim’s side starting the season in the same manner they finished the last one. They have won just one game since the new campaign started, including a defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.
All that means that the pressure is ramping up on Amorim, who didn’t show too many signs of improvement last season. Despite having a successful transfer window, the form hasn’t yet picked up, leading many to believe that his future at Manchester United could be in jeopardy.
Despite that, Amorim still has the support of the players, and he was handed a huge boost in the transfer window, as one of his midfielders rejected the chance to leave the club, and instead, wanted to stay and play under Amorim, but why?
Why did Casemiro choose to stay at United?
It was a seemingly strange decision at the time, as the midfielder’s minutes have decreased, and he could have secured his ‘last’ long-term contract by joining up with former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr.
However, according to GOAL, there was one main factor as to why Casemiro chose to stay, and it was the 2026 World Cup. They report that Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti sees Casemiro as a ‘trusted man’ of his Brazil squad, and so he has a chance to make the World Cup squad.
If he were to move to Saudi Arabia, his chances would surely depreciate, and so Casemiro chose to remain in the Premier League, playing top-level football, despite the more uncertain future and lack of minutes, to try and get his chance with the national team.
What does Casemiro’s future hold?
So far this season, Amorim has been selecting the Brazil international alongside Bruno Fernandes, which led Kobbie Mainoo to request a move as he isn’t getting the minutes he wants.
However, due to Casemiro’s age, and the fact that his contract expires as the end of the season, it is likely that United don’t view him as a long-term option any more, and the most likely outcome will be that they let him run out his contract and leave on a free transfer.
Next summer could potentially be a crowning moment for Casemiro if he were to make the World Cup squad. After that, a move to the Saudi Pro League would surely seem more likely as he winds down his career before retirement. Maybe then, he would reunite with Ronaldo, and make the move to Al Nassr. But for now, the 33-year-old remains a reliable option for Amorim.
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