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EPL Index
·18 February 2025
Casemiro deals Man United huge £300,00-per-week wage blow

EPL Index
·18 February 2025
Manchester United’s efforts to overhaul their squad this summer have encountered an early setback. The Mirror reports that Casemiro, once considered a transformative signing from Real Madrid, has no intention of leaving despite the club’s willingness to offload him.
With a £300,000-a-week contract running until 2026, the Brazilian has made it clear that he wants to see out his deal, stating:
“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.”
Casemiro’s decline from an indispensable presence in midfield to a peripheral figure on the bench has been stark. Injuries have played a part, but so has a clear mismatch between his playing style and Ruben Amorim’s tactical demands. Amorim himself admitted last month that Casemiro has struggled with the “intensity” of the Premier League, raising further questions about his long-term role.
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Despite these concerns, Casemiro remains adamant about staying, even acknowledging his lack of game time:
“I’m happy at club level. Happy on the bench? Of course not. That’s another topic.”
With the club preparing for a major summer rebuild, shedding high wages has become a necessity. Casemiro’s £15m-a-year contract is a significant financial burden, particularly when considering his diminishing impact on the pitch.
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Saudi Pro League clubs have shown interest, but Casemiro’s refusal to move means United may be forced into an unwanted compromise—keeping an ageing, high-earning player who does not fit the system.
Meanwhile, other costly players such as Marcus Rashford have already been farmed out on loan, as United desperately try to manage their wage bill while still looking to strengthen the squad.
Amorim’s challenge at Old Trafford is already daunting, with United sitting in 15th place and struggling for any sense of consistency. The Portuguese manager has publicly stated that sales will be necessary before any significant signings can be made. However, if players like Casemiro refuse to leave, this process becomes even more complicated.
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The hope had been that experienced players on high wages, no longer contributing at the required level, would move on to allow United to reset. Instead, Casemiro’s insistence on staying could set the tone for further resistance from other squad members unwilling to give up lucrative contracts.
For Manchester United fans, this latest development is yet another chapter in the club’s frustrating transfer history. What was once seen as a masterstroke—signing a five-time Champions League-winning midfielder—has now become a cautionary tale of United’s reckless spending.
Casemiro’s initial impact at Old Trafford was undeniable. His leadership and defensive solidity were key in Erik ten Hag’s first season, helping United to a top-four finish and a League Cup triumph. But football moves quickly, and at 32, the Brazilian now looks a step off the pace.
His insistence on staying raises difficult questions. While some fans will appreciate his professionalism and loyalty, others will see it as a player clinging onto a contract rather than seeking a new challenge. If his priority was football rather than finances, why turn down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia? Why stay at a club where he is no longer a key player?
This situation also exposes a deeper problem: United’s wage structure. For too long, the club has handed out inflated contracts with little foresight, creating a culture where players have little incentive to move on. If Casemiro stays, what does that mean for other underperforming stars? Will they follow his lead, sitting on massive contracts while offering minimal contributions on the pitch?
United’s rebuild was never going to be easy, but obstacles like this make it even harder. Amorim needs full backing to shape the squad as he sees fit, and that starts with players moving on when their time is up. Right now, that process looks anything but straightforward.