Casemiro has confirmed the latest on his Manchester United exit amid rumours that the club were holding internal discussions about keeping him for one more season.
Was Casemiro a GOOD signing for Man Utd?
Casemiro's time at Manchester United has largely reflected how the club have operated since Sir Alex Ferguson left all the way back in 2013.
United's policy for much of that period was to try to sign 'winners' for big fees or on big contracts, trying to grab the biggest names in world football to prove that the club were still among the biggest around, despite not competing with the best of the best.
After joining for a £60 million fee and £72 million contract back in 2022, Casemiro had a stellar first season under Erik ten Hag, one that he himself said was the best football he had ever played.
However, injuries and a decline in physical capabilities led to rough patches between 2023 and the end of 2024. He found his form again under Rúben Amorim last season and has been brilliant under Michael Carrick.
Casemiro confirms he will not continue at United
Back in January, it was announced that Casemiro would be leaving United at the end of the season when his contract expires. However, his brilliant form of late led Brazilian outlet RTI Esporte to report that United were reconsidering this decision.
However, in a new interview with Globo Esporte, the midfielder has reportedly stated that there will be no chance of a reversal of the decision to leave.
Casemiro had been of intense interest to multiple Brazilian clubs, but he has also confirmed that he does not see returning to his home country as an option just yet.
His form at United and prowess across European football has lent credence to the idea that he would still be brilliant for a side battling in one of the continent's top five leagues.
The likes of Luka Modric and Kevin de Bruyne have found new leases of life in Italy, and considering Casemiro's pedigree, a move to European giants AC Milan could be a brilliant addition to his CV.
Who can United replace Casemiro with?
This is the million-dollar question at Old Trafford. There are plenty of brilliant defensive midfielders across football who could be available this summer, but very few have the blend of defensive reliability, on-the-ball ability, and aerial prowess as Casemiro.
It has been widely reported that Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson is United's No. 1 defensive target this summer, although many within the football community feel the England international is destined to sign for Manchester City.
Therefore, links to Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães have started to materialise, with Casemiro reportedly even recommending the 29-year-old to United as his replacement.
United's new transfer policy of buying players with Premier League experience has paid off well with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, and Guimarães fits that bill.
He is a player with a wealth of experience, both as a Premier League midfielder and Premier League captain, so he would help replace the experience that the squad will lose when Casemiro goes. It all comes down to the price.