Casemiro’s future might have been decided in January, but his form since has given birth to regret, an emotion that could be intensified soon.
Since announcing his departure from Man Utd at the start of the year, Casemiro has played like a man on a mission, determined to go out on a high.
He has been so good that his performances have prompted questions about whether the club have made the right decision at all.
If there was regret before, there could be direct hurting next season, because Casemiro has narrowed his options for next season.
Casemiro celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Newcastle United.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
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 rules out Brazil return next season
If there’s one thing Casemiro has proven beyond doubt this season, it’s that the football definitely hasn’t left him at all.
He’s clearly still capable of doing the business at the highest level of the game under intense scrutiny, so long as his minutes are managed.
As such, it shouldn’t come as a surprise when Brazilian outlet GE Globo report that Casemiro has ruled out a return to his country next summer.
More United News
He started his journey in Sao Paulo, so a homecoming before hanging up his boots would have been a nice fairytale ending to the story.
However, Casemiro is clearly in the mood to write more chapters in his story before calling it quits, or even entertaining a fairytale ending.
The report states that he is garnering interest from Saudi clubs, along with teams in Italy as well as the USA, with the player aware that this could be his last major contract.
By ruling out a return to Brazil, he has left open the possibility of hurting United directly next season.
Man Utd could face Casemiro next season
It’s safe to say that Casemiro won’t be staying in the Premier League next season, but now that United look on course to qualify for Champions League football, the dynamics change.
Gary Neville says Man Utd’s combined fee and wages spend on Casemiro was bad business – Do you agree?
He is upset there is no resale value and he will leave for free
Casemiro / Neville
Getty Images
It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that the Brazilian joins a team like Inter Milan, and they face United next season in Europe.
Knowing Casemiro, the circumstances around his exit, and his model professional nature, he will be at his driven best in that game to ensure United know that they made a mistake in letting him go.
Of course, that goes out of the window if he seals a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia or the MLS, but he is so competitive that he might save those avenues for even later in his career.
Ultimately, United need to be ready for a scenario where Casemiro lines up against them next season, driven to prove them wrong.
Those set-pieces will be particularly hard to stop!
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox