Man Utd midfielder Casemiro will leave Old Trafford at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Carrick pictured with Casemiro.(Image: 2026 Allstar)
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"A lot of fans feel the team is missing a Carrick-style midfielder," said a journalist at Carrington on Friday afternoon. Carrick quipped: "They probably weren't saying that when I was playing, though, were they?"
Even the head of football communications was laughing at the joke. Carrick has been business-like during his Manchester United press conferences so far, but this remark offered a glimpse into his personality. Carrick then provided a serious answer when asked whether his opinion would be canvassed on a new midfield signing to replace Casemiro, who announced he will leave United at the end of the season.
"I'm certainly in this position to do that," Carrick said once the chuckles quietened. "And as I said, I think, making decisions for the club moving forward, whatever that may be, I'm fully committed to that.
"Naturally, as a midfielder, then there's a big tendency towards that anyway, but taking that away from it and now being where I am in the position I am, certainly would be part of those conversations and moving forward because it's important when we get the next steps right in terms of moving forward as a team and there's a squad and putting the right things in place. So, yeah, I'll be part of that in the right way."
The first half of the week was dominated by post-Manchester derby coverage. The headline from the second half of the week was that Casemiro was leaving after four years at the club.
United agreed to Casemiro’s request to confirm his summer departure at this time, and a video with the Brazilian explaining his decision was released on club channels. United sources also said the decision not to renew Casemiro's contract had been made well in advance of the announcement.
Casemiro wanted to avoid speculation about his future during the remainder of the season, and his representatives can engage with potential suitors over his next move now that confirmation is out there.
He said: “I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life. From the first day that I walked out at this beautiful stadium, I felt the passion of Old Trafford and the love that I now share with our supporters for this special club.
"It is not time to say goodbye; there are many more memories to create during the next four months. We still have a lot to fight for together; my complete focus will, as always, remain on giving my everything to help our club to succeed.”
Casemiro posing after announcing his exit.(Image: 2026 Manchester United FC)
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The conversation about who will be brought in to succeed Casemiro has rumbled throughout this season, and will only grow louder as the summer transfer window approaches.
United considered a move for Carlos Baleba last summer. Brighton valued the midfielder in excess of £100million, and United focused their resources on strengthening other areas of the team. Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton have also been tracked.
There are concerns with all three of those targets, though. Baleba has struggled this season, looking a shade of the player he was last term, and Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler admitted a few months ago that reports linking him with a move to Old Trafford had negatively impacted his performances.
"I think it’s normal for a young player when the media creates the noise around him," Hurzeler said. It’s not easy for this player to handle it. Therefore, we need to give him the time and support so he comes back to his best performance.
"But he’s a young player and I think that’s something we have to accept, that young players don’t always have the face we want to see. It’s our responsibility to help them in the right moments."
When asked specifically if the interest from United had affected the midfielder, the Brighton boss added: "I think everyone gets affected, especially when you are that young and you hear these kinds of things, no matter if they are wrong or right. But it’s just noise we don’t need."
Baleba hasn't been at his best this season.(Image: 2025 Allstar)
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Anderson and Wharton have similar profiles. They are both modern English No.6s, players who excel by spraying the ball around on the pitch, and they are not necessarily best at breaking up play and defending.
Anderson has established himself as a rising star since moving to Forest from Newcastle, and excelled when he made his England debut during the September international break.
"Very good. He was a bit nervous this week but then did good," said Thomas Tuchel following his first England appearance. The German praised Anderson again last month, describing him as "talented" and "tough".
Newcastle did not want to sell Whitley Bay-born Anderson, who came through their academy, but Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR) forced them into sanctioning an exit in 2024. Many have earmarked Anderson for a bigger move in the near future, but he would also command a fee in the region of £100m.
Crystal Palace will be reluctant to sell Wharton this summer after a fire sale of their best players. A fee of £100m has already been touted for Wharton, who is contracted at Selhurst Park until the summer of 2029.
There's a lot at stake this summer. United cannot afford to make a mistake in their hunt for a replacement for Casemiro, especially when such large sums are likely to be involved.
It will help that United's decision-makers can lean on Carrick for his opinion ahead of the transfer window. Tapping into the thoughts of one of the finest English midfielders ever isn't a bad option to have.
Carrick's admission that he is positioned to give advice on summer targets may also be seen as a hint about his future.