Manchester United could end up spending another £25million on Casemiro after the midfielder revealed his determination to remain until the end of his contract. His comments will come as a blow if the Red Devils were hoping to offload his £350,000-per-week salary from their wage bill in the summer.
Casemiro has been linked with an Old Trafford exit during the past few windows. United not only want to trim down their wage bill, but also bring down the average age of Ruben Amorim’s squad.
A summer overhaul is set to be overseen by minority owners INEOS. It remains to be seen whether United are keen for Casemiro to move on.
However, the former Real Madrid star insists he wants to stay until the end of his contract in June 2026. At £350k each week, keeping Casemiro until then will cost United £25m.
“I have to keep doing what I’m doing, with a lot of respect and education,” the 32-year-old, a £60m purchase in 2022, told AS. “Of course I’d like to play more. I don’t know any player who doesn’t want to play and help.
“Also, I’d like to help the club at this time. I approach things with respect for my teammates and the technical committee. And above all, I respect United, a club to which I’m very grateful.
“I have a year-and-a-half left on my contract and I’d like to fulfil it here in Manchester. I’m comfortable here and so is my family. They’ve adapted, we speak English.
“I’m very grateful to the Old Trafford fans and to the club. I’m happy at club level. Happy in the dugout? Of course not. That’s another thing.”
Casemiro started in a makeshift United team in their 1-0 defeat against Tottenham on Sunday. An injury crisis left Amorim with only 12 fit senior players for the trip to north London.
It was his first appearance in the Premier League since December 30, when United were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle. Casemiro was heavily criticised for his role in that defeat. Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte have since been Amorim’s chosen midfield pairing.
The 75-cap Brazil international has started only 11 Premier League games at United this season and only four under Amorim. It remains to be seen whether he is part of the Portuguese coach’s plans moving forward.
