Casemiro’s Future at Man United Looks Increasingly Uncertain | OneFootball

Casemiro’s United Future: A Saga of Decline and Dilemma

A Career on the Brink

Casemiro arrived at Manchester United with an aura of dominance. A five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, the Brazilian’s presence in the heart of midfield was meant to bring steel and leadership. And for a fleeting moment, it did. His first season at Old Trafford was a success—dictating play, breaking up opposition attacks, and scoring crucial goals. But the honeymoon was brief.

Now, 18 months later, the cracks have widened into chasms. A player once renowned for his tactical intelligence and positional awareness now finds himself unable to keep up with the relentless intensity of the Premier League. Even his manager, Ruben Amorim, has publicly acknowledged the difficulties:

“Amorim himself previously admitted his ageing midfielder can no longer keep up.”

Eyebrows were raised when United paid £60m (rising to £70m) for a 30-year-old defensive midfielder, but the club saw immediate returns. However, football is an unforgiving sport, and age has caught up quickly.

A High Earner on the Periphery

Casemiro’s current status at United is a stark contrast to his early impact. From being a cornerstone of the midfield to an unused substitute in nine of the last 14 league matches, his influence has waned significantly. Injuries in the squad have given him a reprieve, but his presence is now more of a necessity than a preference.

United’s new ownership structure is prioritising cost-cutting, and Casemiro—on an eye-watering £350,000 per week—has become a financial burden rather than an asset. As TEAMtalk reports, United were open to selling him in the past two transfer windows and are expected to push for a sale again this summer. But finding a buyer willing to match his wages is proving difficult.

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Casemiro, however, remains steadfast in his commitment:

“Of course I want to play,” Casemiro said. “But I always say – and these are my values – I respect the coach a lot, I respect the club. Every day I go to Carrington or Old Trafford I try to do my best.”

This is the voice of a professional unwilling to concede that his best days are behind him. He is not content with a supporting role and expects to fight for his place. Yet, reality suggests that his future at Old Trafford is precarious at best.

The Manager’s Dilemma

Amorim finds himself in an unenviable position. He inherited a squad bloated with underperforming high-earners, and while Ten Hag’s departure was supposed to herald a new era, things have arguably deteriorated.

Jamie Carragher’s scathing criticism in The Telegraph paints a bleak picture of United under Amorim:

“No players have improved under Portuguese coach and it is difficult to even say that the team are better prepared now than under Erik ten Hag.”

The United hierarchy might have expected turbulence with a managerial transition, but the fact that there are no visible signs of progress is alarming. Amorim must now decide whether to persist with an ageing, high-cost midfielder or push for a swift exit.

Casemiro’s reluctance to accept a pay cut further complicates matters. If United want to offload him, either the club must compromise on their financial demands, or the player must accept a reduced salary elsewhere. Until then, this uneasy standoff continues.

Uncertain Future

For all his pedigree and professionalism, Casemiro’s time at United seems to be drawing to a close. His contract runs until 2025/26, with an option for a further year, but whether he sees that out remains uncertain. Amorim, already under pressure, cannot afford sentimentality. His mandate is to reshape the squad, and a midfield built around a declining force is not sustainable.

Casemiro, ever the warrior, remains defiant:

“I’m here, I’m available, with total happiness, and I’m ready for the coach and the club. As everyone knows, I’m a big character for the club. As I said, every time I go to Carrington or Old Trafford I try to do my best. That’s my biggest quality.”

His character and experience are undeniable. But as United look to the future, the cold, hard reality is that they may need to move on—whether he wants to or not.

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Concerned United fans will be watching this saga unfold with a mix of frustration and resignation.

Casemiro’s rapid decline is a stark warning about United’s transfer policy. Paying massive wages for ageing stars may yield short-term success, but the long-term consequences are clear. The club now finds itself stuck with an underperforming player on a huge salary, and shifting him will be no easy task.

What’s worse is that there appears to be no clear replacement lined up. Amorim’s squad lacks balance, and Casemiro’s absence from the starting XI has not led to a noticeable improvement in midfield performances. United fans expected a transition under Amorim, but few anticipated it would be this chaotic.

Then there’s the bigger issue—where does Casemiro go? The Saudi Pro League is often cited as an escape route, but interest appears to have cooled. European clubs won’t match his wages, and a pay cut seems unlikely. If no solution is found, United could be forced to either keep an unhappy player or subsidise his departure. Neither option is ideal.

For all his past brilliance, Casemiro represents a transfer miscalculation. Unless United find a swift resolution, this saga could drag on well into next season, further stalling the club’s progress.