Casemiro has confirmed he will leave Manchester United at the end of the season, with the club opting not to activate the one-year extension in his contract.
The Brazilian midfielder arrived at Old Trafford from Real Madrid in August 2022 for a fee of around £70 million and made an immediate impact, helping United win the Carabao Cup in his debut season before lifting the FA Cup the following year.
Now 33, Casemiro has made 146 appearances for the club, including 21 outings this season. However, with United entering a new phase of their rebuild, a decision has been taken to allow the midfielder’s contract to run down.
Speaking after the announcement, Casemiro struck an emotional tone, insisting his bond with the club will last long beyond his final appearance.
“I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life,” he said. “From the first day I walked out at this beautiful stadium, I felt the passion of Old Trafford and the love of the supporters.”
Despite a strong start to life in England, Casemiro’s influence waned during the latter stages of Erik ten Hag’s reign, and he slipped down the pecking order following the arrival of Ruben Amorim.
The midfielder was also name-checked last year by United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe during a blunt assessment of the squad, with suggestions that some players were overpaid and underperforming.
An exit last summer appeared likely amid interest from Saudi Arabia, but Casemiro stayed and later forced his way back into contention, even starting in Michael Carrick’s first match as interim boss against Manchester City.
Explaining his decision now, Casemiro described the move as the start of a “new chapter” rather than a farewell.
“It isn’t goodbye,” he said. “In England, I am red. I am Manchester United until death.”
