Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has launched a staunch defence of Casemiro to the club’s hierarchy after the 34-year-old’s latest game-changing display at the heart of midfield, according to a new report.
One foot out the door
Despite enjoying a resurgent campaign this season, Casemiro is due to depart Old Trafford this summer once his contract expires, as INEOS ruled against triggering an automatic one-year extension.
The Brazil international is the team’s best-paid player, with a weekly wage of £350,000 when United are in the Champions League – a competition they expect to qualify for next year, thus restoring the figure to its full amount.
Naturally, the hierarchy are keen to avoid paying an ageing player such an exorbitant salary. However, if United do return to their rightful place amongst Europe’s elite, the defensive midfielder’s performances will be pivotal to this achievement, with his latest offering against Aston Villa further proof of his importance.
Unai Emery’s side are one of the key challengers for a top-four slot this season, making the clash at the Theatre of Dreams on Sunday afternoon something of a ‘six pointer’ for Champions League qualification.
Casemiro opened the scoring in the crucial 3-1 win, converting Bruno Fernandes‘ cross to secure his seventh goal of the campaign – his best return since arriving from Real Madrid for £70 million in 2022. No other combination of players in the Premier League has scored more often this season than the United duo.
While the rest of Casemiro’s performance was not necessarily his vintage best, he remains the club’s best midfielder by a considerable distance, given Fernandes has been redeployed as a No. 10 since Carrick took the reins from Ruben Amorim in January.
Still the best at Old Trafford
Kobbie Mainoo has also enjoyed a resurgence under the 44-year-old English coach, having previously been frozen out by Amorim and on the verge of leaving the club at the point of the dismissal. However, the 20-year-old starlet remains a work in progress and must learn how to impose his talents more consistently on games.
By contrast, Manuel Ugarte has been a resounding disappointment since his £50.5 million switch from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024, comfortably taking the spot as the worst signing in the INEOS era. The drop-off once Casemiro is replaced by him is stark, as the results with and without the Brazilian on the pitch demonstrate.
United are planning a significant overhaul of the engine room this summer, with two new midfielders expected to arrive in place of Casemiro and, potentially, Ugarte. Elliot Anderson is considered the primary target, while Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton are also under consideration.
However, there is growing noise outside the club for the former’s contract situation to be reopened – and this is now understood to have been matched by Carrick.
Carrick tells INEOS to change their mind
TEAMtalk reports the caretaker coach has sent a “strong message” to INEOS that Casemiro is an “extremely important figure within the dressing room, both on and off the pitch.”
This has led the hierarchy to reverse their initial decision in a shock twist, with sources at Old Trafford revealing they are now “willing to reopen talks” over a new deal.
“Sources indicate there is a growing feeling within the club that Casemiro has demonstrated he still has plenty to offer at the highest level. His form in recent months, combined with his leadership and experience, has made a strong impression on Carrick and his coaching staff, and the interim manager has made his stance on Casemiro crystal clear to the Red Devils’ hierarchy.”
Final Thoughts
In an ideal world, United would be able to sell Ugarte and bring in two better options, such as Anderson and Baleba, with Casemiro staying for another year on drastically reduced terms to act as an elder statesman.
However, the Brazilian behemoth will have offers from the Saudi Pro League and MLS which match, or even exceed, his current wage packet at Old Trafford. Furthermore, there is interest from Serie A, with both Juventus and AC Milan understood to be planning a summer swoop – teams where he would expect to be a guaranteed starter.
It feels unlikely, therefore, that Casemiro would be willing to accept an arrangement that works for United, while the club will not match the offers he will receive elsewhere. Professional football is far from an ideal world after all.
Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images
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