Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has now removed any remaining doubt about his future, confirming in his own words that his time at Old Trafford is coming to an end.
Casemiro arrived at Manchester United in 2022 after a trophy-laden spell at Real Madrid. He quickly became a leader in midfield and helped bring silverware back to Old Trafford, winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with ESPN Brazil, Casemiro made it clear that there will be no extension at Manchester United.
“I don’t think there’s any chance, no chance of staying another year. The idea is to leave through the front door. It’s been four beautiful, wonderful years, and I’m eternally grateful not only to the club, but to the fans. If there’s one thing I’ll take with me from these four years, it’s the fans. But no, I think it’s over. My cycle here is finished,” he said.
He reinforced that decision moments later, explaining that he now sees this as the right moment to move on.
“I’m going into a new phase of my career. I still need to decide where I’ll go, but I want to leave in a good way, leave on a high. I’ll always be a United supporter here in England and I can only thank the fans for all the affection,” he added.
Four years in Manchester coming to an end
His time at the club has not been straightforward. Injuries and tactical changes reduced his influence at certain points. At the start of 2025, he even lost his place under Ruben Amorim. Still, he responded in the way expected of a player of his level.
Casemiro worked his way back into the team and finished strongly. He played a key role in the final stretch of the season, including featuring in a Europa League final, and reminded many of his importance. That reaction is something he sees as one of his biggest personal achievements.
“I kept working, I kept trying to show the manager he was wrong about me. I could have just accepted it and moved on, but I didn’t. I worked to change his mind, and I managed to do that. That might be one of my biggest achievements,” he explained.
A goalscoring farewell
That strong finish has also been reflected in numbers. Casemiro is enjoying the most prolific scoring season of his career, with nine goals so far. He has also stayed clear of injuries since 2023, which has helped him maintain consistency and rhythm.
Even so, he remains clear about his priorities on the pitch.
“My son asks me: ‘Dad, are you going to score today?’ I tell him I’m a defensive midfielder. The first job is to defend, to help the centre-backs, the full-backs, the midfielders. If I can score, it’s a bonus. But first comes the defensive work and giving balance to the team,” he said.
He also pointed to the collective effort behind those contributions.
“It’s all down to the team. People see the final touch, the goal, the save, but everything starts elsewhere. In attack, it starts with the goalkeeper. In defence, it starts with the striker. Even if I score, it’s the team’s work,” he added.
Emotional farewell and mindset until the end
As his Manchester United chapter draws to a close, Casemiro admitted the emotional weight of the moment. Leaving a club is something he has experienced before, but that does not make it easier.
“You have to leave through the front door. That’s always something I’ve tried to do in every club. It’s emotional. With every game, you feel it more. There’s that feeling in your chest, but it’s been beautiful. The matches, the training, the daily work – it’s been a really nice story, especially this ending,” he reflected.
He went even further in describing how he is experiencing these final moments.
“It’s almost too perfect, this exit. I’m enjoying it a lot. I’m really enjoying everything I’m living at a club as big as United,” he added.
Despite knowing he will leave, his competitive mindset has not changed.
“I’ve always been like this and I think I always will be. Whether it’s one minute or ninety, every day when I go to bed I want to feel I gave everything. We all know I’m leaving, we know there’s a World Cup coming, but this is who I am – giving everything on the pitch, even when I can’t give any more,” he said.
Decision now shifts to next destination
Casemiro also made clear that his next move will be decided carefully, with his family playing a key role in the process. As we recently covered, the MLS might be his destination.
“The priority is to speak with my family and see what they want. When I decided to come to Manchester United, they supported me first. They always say they’ll be happy wherever we go, but this decision now is very important and I need to take it together with them,” he explained.
He stressed the weight of that choice.
“This is a very important decision for me now. I still need to analyse everything carefully,” he added.
At the same time, he highlighted the positive moment he is experiencing.
“Things are going very well for me. It’s been a very good end to the season and a very good season overall,” he said.
The situation is now fully defined. It comes directly from the player himself, closing the chapter on a four-year spell and opening the door to the next stage of his career.
