Manchester United midfielder Casemiro’s departure at the end of the season is “clear from both sides” despite his “engagement” with fans and plenty of form, according to interim manager Michael Carrick.
Five-time Champions League winner Casemiro has scored as many goals in his last six games for United as he has in his first 21 games of the season, with three of his four goals coming in each of United’s last home games and some fans at Old Trafford are calling for the 34-year-old to be handed a new contract.
“Cas has had an impact on the team,” Carrick replied when asked if the situation was certain, speaking a month after Casemiro predicted he would find the move “difficult” but said he believed the decision was “done and done”.
“He has a lot of experience, he is a great player and he has achieved a lot in this game, since I am here, he has done everything he could.
“It is possible that this situation has helped, knowing exactly where you are [leaving] – he has nothing to hide and throw himself into it.”
What is the status of Casemiro’s contract at Man United?
Casemiro, who joined United from Real Madrid for an initial fee of £60 million in 2022, announced in January that he would leave when his £350,000-a-week contract expires.
United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly questioned the money and salary involved in signing the Brazilian before the businessman takes over the club’s football department in February 2024.
“I still enjoy it a lot,” Casemiro said of his time at United, per The Athletic. “I’m enjoying myself right now.
“Above all, Michael [Carrick] he is an expert in my position on the field. He was a really good player. That makes everything easier and he always talks to us.”
Former United midfielder Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim who was sacked in January until the end of the season.
“It’s great that you have a connection with the fans,” the 44-year-old said of Casemiro, who scored his latest goal in a 2-1 win over Brentford on Monday to help United move closer to returning to the Champions League for the first time since 2023/24.
“It goes both ways because I know that he is a person with feelings and it means a lot to him.”
Why Man United should offload Casemiro: ‘He had his day’
Casemiro was “really exposed” during United’s first half of the season under Amorim, according to Premier League top scorer Chris Sutton.
“Under Michael Carrick his stats improved, his performance improved and so did the Manchester United team,” Sutton told BBC Sport, calling talk of a change over his decision to leave “outrageous”.
“He did well but he had his day. If Manchester United want to move forward as a team, Casemiro is not the future.
“He was a great player and you would give your right arm to have a job like him, but he doesn’t have the legs that he had.
“If Manchester United want to go to that next level, it’s not next season. If they want £350,000 to be good in the dressing room, I don’t think they’re going to pay that.”
Champions League qualification: United ‘want to be at the top’
United were outside the guaranteed Champions League qualification places and 11 points behind third place after a 1-1 draw with Leeds United in Amorim’s last game in charge on January 4.
They have taken 29 points from 13 league games under Carrick and now need just two points from the last four games of the campaign to ensure a top five finish.
“We gave ourselves a big chance,” said Carrick, congratulating his players on recovering from four points in four games against Chelsea and the Bees.
“These last two results have been big for that. It’s hard to get a win. The Champions League is one thing, but it’s not something we should celebrate too much.
“We want to finish at the top of the league and challenge at the top and get more points. Our season is not over yet…we have put ourselves in a good position, but there is a lot of work to be done.”
Casemiro put United ahead in the 11th minute and Benjamin Sesko doubled their lead two minutes before the break, with Mathias Jensen replying from Brentford’s long range three minutes from time.
What’s next? Manchester United matches, schedule
United are at home again on Sunday, where they will aim to stay above Liverpool, who are three points behind them.
| The day | They don’t oppose | Start time is BST | ET | PT |
| Sun, May 3 | Liverpool (H) | 15:30 | 10:30 | 07:30 |
| Saturday, May 9 | Sunderland (A) | 15:00 | 10:00 | 07:00 |
| The Sun, May 17 | Nottingham Forest (H) | 15:00 | 10:00 | 07:00 |
| The Sun, May 24 | Brighton (A) | 16:00 | 11:00 | 08:00 |
