Michael Carrick before the Sky Bet Championship match between Coventry City FC and Middlesbrough FC.
Michael Carrick will take charge of his first Manchester United game against Man City. (Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar, Getty Images)
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When Casemiro signed for the club in 2023, his deal was worth £350,000 per week. However, failing to secure a Champions League spot has seen his weekly wage fall to less than £300,000.
There's a clause in the player's contract that could automatically extend his deal by a year, potentially restoring his original weekly wage of £350,000 if they qualify for the Champions League.
The clause is said to be activated if Casemiro starts 35 matches in all competitions during the 2025/26 season, The Daily Mail reports. With United's early departure from both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, as well as their absence from European football, opportunities for this to happen are dwindling.
In fact, for the threshold to be met, Casemiro would need to start every Premier League match between now and the end of the season.
Casemiro during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford.
Casemiro is out of contract at Manchester United in the summer. (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA, Getty Images)
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The midfielder is expected to return to the starting XI for this afternoon's Manchester derby, after being named on the bench against Brighton in the FA Cup last week.
Casemiro has been a consistent presence in United's starting line-up in the Premier League this season. Out of all the matches he was available for, he started all but one - a 3-0 defeat to Man City in September.
Interim head coach Carrick now faces a decision regarding the Brazilian. The midfielder is expected to depart United at the end of his contract, and his exit would save the club £15.6million in wages should the club fail to qualify for the Champions League again. If they do make it into Europe's elite competition, his original wages would be reinstated, which would cost United £18.2million.
However, to avoid activating the clause and facilitate an easier departure, Carrick will need to exclude him from the starting line-up for just one of the remaining Premier League matches. This hasn't occurred since September when the midfielder has been available for selection.
The return to fitness of academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo could simplify the situation. Having fallen out of favour under Ruben Amorim, Mainoo is eager for more playing time.
His lack of game time has sparked rumours of a potential move away from the club in the January transfer window. However, Amorim's dismissal could alter this scenario.
Mainoo will be aiming to impress Carrick and may be given more opportunities by the interim boss between now and the end of the season. He could potentially replace Casemiro in the starting line-up, thereby preventing the activation of the clause.
Watch a preview of this weekend's Manchester Derby