Casemiro’s June departure was set in stone back in January, but the Brazilian is refusing to leave quietly. Instead, the 34-year-old has anchored Michael Carrick’s midfield with such authority that replacing him this summer now looks like a daunting task for Manchester United.
Replacing Casemiro is never going to be easy unless you’re Real Madrid.
Ineos will want to make those who think that eat their words in the summer, so long as they can continue their impressive run of recruiting players since taking control of football operations.
Multiple targets are hitting the headlines, such as Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba, so here are five things United will lose when the fans say their dreaded goodbye to Casemiro at the end of the season.
I would pay a MAXIMUM of £___ per-week to Casemiro to extend his contract
Fill in the blank with your offer. Casemiro earns around £350k/week right now. Will you go high or walk away?
Casemiro showing the Manchester United badge
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
Casemiro warming up
Photo by Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images
Experience
Casemiro arrived at United in 2022 with a wealth of experience, having won everything at Real Madrid, including five Champions League triumphs and three La Liga titles.
He brought a winning mentality into the dressing room for Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge, as United delivered the Carabao Cup.
It was also evident in his second season when United won the FA Cup, plus this season with Michael Carrick’s push for a Champions League spot.
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The Brazil international will leave Old Trafford having made over 150 appearances for the club.
Aerial threat
Casemiro has scored six goals from set pieces this season, and he’s often the player who dominates opponents with his threat in the air.
This season, United fans are seeing what a special player he is, especially with his goals from defensive midfield.
It will be next to impossible to find a player who is as prolific when it comes to attacking corners and free kicks.
Casemiro is our number one ranked Brazilian to play for Man Utd – Do you agree?
Let's hear your rankings? What would you change about this list?
Man Utd Brazilians ranked
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One of the best defensive midfielders of his generation
Casemiro is rightly regarded as one of the greatest defensive midfielders of the modern era, which is validated by his five Champions League titles as well as how he transformed himself in the Premier League at United.
The Brazilian belongs on a list of midfielders such as Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, who he spent many years with as a formidable midfield trio at Real Madrid.
Casemiro remained a key player at United even though he wasn’t the player he was during the peak of his career. Still, his revival this season has brought hope for the team’s chances of Champions League qualification.
That was evident in United’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday when the Stretford End made it clear they want Casemiro to stay for another year.
Professionalism
There was a time under Ruben Amorim that Casemiro wasn’t considered a starter, but he worked his way into the team by getting his head down and putting the work in on the training ground.
Casemiro’s performances this season show that, even at 34, he remains a key player. If it wasn’t going to be so costly to keep him at Old Trafford, the decision in January may have been different as we could see with Harry Maguire.
Like Casemiro, Maguire is another player who has a huge influence on the United dressing room and he has been a crucial player under Carrick this season.
Prove us wrong… Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes are the best midfield trio in the Premier League
There is not another trio we would swap them for!
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Hefty wage bill
Perhaps the biggest factor behind Casemiro’s departure is freeing up a chunk of the wage bill to help Ineos revamp the midfield department this summer.
His salary, coming in at around £375,000 a week, was bound to be a sore subject for the hierarchy, and they were never going to entertain an extension on the same money.
Logically, his age outweighs his influence on the team right now. They can’t let their emotions get the better of them when the aim is long-term success.
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