Midfielder Casemiro to leave Man Utd this summer

What’s Happening

So get this: Manchester United say midfielder Casemiro will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of this season.

Midfielder Casemiro to leave Man Utd this summer Image source, Reuters Image caption, Casemiro has clutched the EFL Cup and FA Cup with Manchester United By Tom Rostance BBC Sport journalist Published 22 January 2026, 16:59 GMT Updated 36 minutes ago Manchester United have dropped midfielder Casemiro will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of this season. The 33-year-old joined from Real Madrid for £70m in 2022 and has made 146 appearances. (wild, right?)

He scored the opening goal in the 2023 Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle as Manchester United finished third in the Premier League in his first season.

The Details

But last year he was mentioned by new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe who dropped some players were “not good enough” and “overpaid”. The Brazil international dropped: “I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life.

“It is not time to say goodbye; there are many more memories to create during the next four months. “We still have a lot to fight for together; my complete focus will, as always, remain on giving my everything to help our club to succeed.

Why This Matters

” Move gives Man Utd flexibility By Simon Stone Chief football news reporter While there has been external uncertainty over whether the club would trigger the additional years option in Casemiros contract, internally there was none. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly and privately highlighted the eye-watering £375,000-a-week wages paid to the Brazilian as an example of the profligacy that predated his arrival. There was no way Ratcliffe would countenance extending that at a time when he is determined to cut costs and bring the wage bill down.

Sports analysts are already debating what this means for the competition.

The Bottom Line

Sources say the decision not to trigger the option was made some time ago, well in advance of Thursdays announcement. It is worth remembering Casemiro only came to United in 2022 because the club had flopped to land Erik ten Hags top choices for the central midfield role he felt was essential to strengthen.

What’s your take on this whole situation?