Manchester United have confirmed that Casemiro will leave the club as a free agent at the end of the season. The Brazilian signed for £60million from Real Madrid in 2022 and has since made just shy of 150 appearances. But United have opted against extending his £350,000-a-week contract beyond this summer. 

In an interview with the club’s official channels, Casemiro said: “I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life. From the first day that I walked out at this beautiful stadium, I felt the passion of Old Trafford and the love that I now share with our supporters for this special club.

“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.

“It means so much, not just for me, but for all my family. It is so special and I will always carry this club with me for all my life. I will always be a Manchester United fan, my whole family too.

“In England, I am red, I am Manchester United until death. So all I want to say is: thank you for everything. It isn’t a goodbye, it is just a chapter in my life, I will always be with Manchester United.

“Thank you, thank you everyone that made this time in my life so special, especially the fans. I will never forget my song! Thank you very much.”

The decision comes ahead of INEOS’ plan to overhaul the Red Devils’ midfield with two top-level signings this summer. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton are all targets for United.

Casemiro has had a mixed career at United with 21 goals from 146 games. He scored a crucial goal in the Carabao Cup final over Newcastle in 2023 and has been a regular this season despite concerns about his form in 2023-24 under Erik ten Hag.