*This content was translated by AI.
Brazil's top midfielder Casemiro (33) will leave Manchester United. After this season, when the contract expires, the four-year companion will be over.
Manchester United officially announced on the club's official channel on the 23rd (Korea Standard Time) that Casemiro will leave the club after the end of the 2025-2026 season. It has been four years since he wore a Manchester United uniform for a transfer fee of 60 million pounds (about 118.5 billion won) from Real Madrid in the summer of 2022.
In a farewell video to Manchester United fans, Casemiro said, "I will live with this club in my heart all my life," adding, "Me and my family are Manchester United fans forever. I am red in England. "I will remain a Manchester United man until I die," he said.
He then said, "It's not time to say goodbye yet. We have 16 games left until the end of the season. I have a goal to fight for, he said. "I will pour all my energy into making more memories in the remaining four months."
Casemiro and Manchester United's contract included a one-year extension option. However, the two sides agreed not to trigger it. Sports media "ESPN" reported, "Casemiro made his early farewell four months before the end of the season to clarify his future."
In the past four years, Casemiro has scored 21 goals in 146 official matches for Manchester United. He shone at every decisive moment, including a dramatic equalizer against Chelsea and the final goal of a bicycle kick against AFC Bournemouth. In particular, he scored the first header goal in the final of the Carabao Cup (League Cup) in the 2022-2023 season, giving the team the first trophy in six years.
There were trials, too. During the 2024-2025 season, when Manchester United suffered the worst slump by falling to 15th place in the league, Casemiro was criticized a lot for struggling amid injuries and changes in former coach Erik ten Haach's tactics. He suffered a defeat in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) final and humiliation of having to play as a center back.
But Casemiro didn't give up. After the appointment of Houbeng Amorim, he regained his main position and revived splendidly. In particular, in the second leg of the Europa League quarterfinals against Lyon last season, he also used a miracle to induce penalties and help Kobe Mainu and Harry Maguire's goals one after another to lead a reversal.
His performance this season is also remarkable. He has played in 20 of 22 English Premier League (EPL) games and leads the midfield. In particular, in a rival match against Manchester City on the 18th, he made 11 tackles reminiscent of his heyday, leading his team to a 2-0 complete victory.
Casemiro is leaving Manchester United but is not considering retirement. "Casemiro hopes to play in the top five European leagues next season," ESPN said. "Saudi Arabian clubs are also interested in him, but the player still wants to prove his competitiveness at the highest level."
Meanwhile, Manchester United has broken up with Casemiro, a high-paid player, to secure funds for the reorganization of the squad in the summer transfer market. Manchester United is reportedly watching Elliott Anderson, Adam Worton and Carlos Valieva as substitutes to fill Casemiro's departure.
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*This content was translated by AI.
