2 May 2026 07:58 BST | 4 min read
Casemiro, Mohamed Salah, Man Utd, Liverpool
© IMAGO
Manchester United will be deprived of seeing Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah one last time at Old Trafford, but the Egypt international star has, nevertheless, had an impact on the Red Devils’ transfer plans.
Replacing Casemiro has become Man Utd’s priority, with the 34-year-old Brazil international having enjoyed a staggering renaissance in his career over the course of the last 12 months.
Had it not been for Bruno Fernandes’ sparkling contribution with assists, the former Real Madrid star would stand clear as the club’s Player of the Season.
Casemiro has already announced that he intends to leave Old Trafford in the summer, and despite fans clamouring for ‘one more season’, Fabrizio Romano has announced that the player intends to ignore these pleas.
Speaking on his YouTube channel earlier this week, the transfer insider revealed: “I am told that his decision is not changing. Casemiro is leaving Manchester United at the end of the season. At least as of today, that is the situation.”
But why is this issue tied to Salah?
Casemiro’s parallels to Salah
It was little over a year ago that Liverpool found themselves in a similar situation. Salah had been the Reds’ standout player as Arne Slot’s side won the Premier League yet was rapidly heading towards free agency in the summer.
The Egypt international had enjoyed a career year at the age of 32, and Liverpool could not resist handing him a bumper two-year deal, much to the delight of the Anfield support.
Hindsight, of course, is a wonderful thing. Salah has been a pale imitation of that player this season and has performed to such a mediocre standard that he will leave on a free transfer. It’s been one season too long for him at Anfield, and it’s clearly frustrated both the club and the player, who caused major disruption by going public on his anger after being dropped in November.
It’s been a sad farewell season for a player who gave his club so much.
Salah has had a tough final year in Liverpool
© IMAGO - Salah has had a tough final year in Liverpool
There are similarities to be drawn, then, in Manchester United’s approach to Casemiro. It would be little surprise if the powerbrokers at Old Trafford had looked at Salah’s situation on Merseyside and thought better of gambling on another season.
Casemiro’s resurgence this term has been almost freakish in its quality given his advanced year: is it sustainable? It appears that United think not.
The gamble would be an expensive one. If the South American were to sign a new contract on the same terms as he is currently on, he would be paid more than €400,000 per week due to players receiving a 25% pay rise due to the return of Champions League football.
Casemiro with Michael Carrick
© IMAGO - Casemiro with Michael Carrick
Mission accomplished
Casemiro is checking out when still on top rather than tarnishing his reputation by staying a season too long. He does not, after all, have the years of credit in the bank that Salah does at Liverpool, allowing him to retain iconic status.
Departing having sent United back to the Champions League seems a fitting ending for a player who just 12 months ago had looked over the hill.
It’s a measure of how much he has bounced back that his decision has left thousands of Man Utd supporters disappointed, but with lucrative and exciting options emerging in MLS, it’s one that makes some sense for the player.