Ruben Amorim refuses to comment on the long-term future of Manchester United midfielder Casemiro
Manchester United have already embarked on a phase of transition, where they are trying to build a team for the future as well as compete in the present under Ruben Amorim. The club has already sold players who don’t fit the plans of the manager, but there are still some players who are attracting attention regarding their unclear future.
One such player is United’s defensive midfielder Casemiro. The Brazilian’s contract expires in the summer of 2026, and there is still no clarity on what will happen next with the 33-year-old. Some reports have claimed that Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr want to sign him when his contract expires, while others have suggested that United are ready to offer him a new contract, but with a pay cut.
Just ahead of the match against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, Amorim addressed the talks regarding Casemiro. The Portuguese manager stated that they are not focusing on long-term paperwork at this moment, but he aims to keep working with both the Brazilian and Harry Maguire (whose contract also expires in the summer of 2026).
“My goal is to continue counting on Casemiro and Harry Maguire, who have both had similar issues with their contracts.”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but right now, we’re fully focused on this season.”
Quote via: Fabrizio Romano
What’s next with Casemiro?
United signed the Brazilian on a big-money deal from Real Madrid in 2022, when he was at his peak. However, the 33-year-old endured a patchy run of form last season and also lacked sharpness at the start of this season. However, he has now grown into the role in the two-man midfield system alongside Bruno Fernandes under Amorim.
The 33-year-old is still an important player for the club, but his future might depend on whether the club can secure any of their defensive midfield targets, like Adam Wharton or Carlos Baleba. Both carry a huge price tag, and hence, it is still not certain whether the Red Devils can actually get their hands on either player.
If United are not able to secure a deal, then the club might push the initiative to renew him with a much lesser wage, and the Brazilian might also be tempted to stay. However, the defensive midfield is a position where Amorim’s system has suffered a lot, and hence, he would like to get that settled as soon as possible.
Ideally, either Wharton or Baleba would be the best scenario for them, as it would allow the club to replace a 33-year-old veteran with a much younger profile who can serve the club for a long time. However, it’s not easy to get your hands on quality young players when a club is suffering on the field and high-profile rivals are competing. So, everything regarding Casemiro is also up in the air.