Manchester United midfielder Casemiro will reportedly be staying at Old Trafford this summer despite being strongly linked with an exit.
Casemiro is reportedly now set to remain with Manchester United for the 2024-25 campaign despite widespread speculation surrounding his future during the summer transfer window.
The 32-year-old’s difficulties last season led to strong claims that he would be moving on this summer, with a number of Saudi Pro League clubs said to have shown an interest in his services.
However, Casemiro’s absence from the Brazil squad for Copa America meant that he was able to begin pre-season training early, and the experienced midfielder has impressed in Man United’s two matches at the start of the current campaign.
The South American was one of his side’s best players against Manchester City in the Community Shield earlier this month and then helped the Red Devils beat Fulham 1-0 in their Premier League opener last Friday.
According to The Sun, the relationship between head coach Erik ten Hag and Casemiro broke down towards the end of last season, with the midfielder left out of the squad for the FA Cup final.
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Casemiro ‘set’ to stay at Man United this summer
However, Casemiro’s pre-season form and fitness levels are said to have made a huge impression on Ten Hag, and the Man United boss now wants the midfielder to stay at Old Trafford.
Casemiro has allegedly distanced himself from the rumours of a switch to Saudi Arabia, as he believes that he still has plenty left to contribute at the highest level.
The midfielder, who has another two years left to run on a lucrative contract at Old Trafford, struggled from a defensive point of view last season, while he was criticised for his performances in the middle of the defence during an injury crisis for the club.
Since arriving at Old Trafford from Real Madrid in the summer of 2022, Casemiro has represented Man United on 85 occasions, scoring 12 goals and registering nine assists in the process.
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What has Ten Hag said about Casemiro’s future?
“Casemiro? I don’t think it is about the system. Since a long time he has a pre-season so he is very fit in the moment,” Ten Hag told reporters after the Community Shield.
“As a team we work very well and that is easier for Casemiro. He is a great player and can bring his skillset. He is very important for our team. I don’t have any signal he won’t stay at the club. We are very happy with that.”
The fact that Casemiro is on £350,000 a week at Old Trafford is far from ideal, and it is the type of signing that is now highly unlikely to be made under the club’s new structure.
Casemiro at his best is more than capable of being a vital player for Man United this season, though, and it will be fascinating to see how much influence he can have this term.
The club are pressing ahead with a move for Paris Saint-Germain‘s Manuel Ugarte, and a deal for the Uruguay international could potentially allow Casemiro to play slightly higher up the field, which is where the majority of his best work is now coming from.