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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 for the club. But United have opted against extending his £350,000-a-week contract beyond this summer. The 33-year-old, therefore, has a maximum of 16 games left as a United player.

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."

The Brazil captain added: "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 with INEOS planning 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 as they eye major upgrades in the centre of the pitch.

Casemiro has had a mixed career at United, despite scoring 21 goals from the No.6 role in 146 games. He scored a crucial goal in the Carabao Cup final over Newcastle in 2023 and has also been a regular this season despite concerns about his form in the 2023-24 campaign under Erik ten Hag.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher famously lambasted Casemiro after United lost 4-0 away to Crystal Palace in May 2024. Carragher said on Sky Sports: "I always remember the saying 'leave the football before the football leaves you'. The football has left him. He needs to call it a day."

But Casemiro has improved significantly since then, prompting the Liverpool legend to say last month: "Fair play to him but Man United finished 15th last season. You know what, when I look at him? Fair play, he looks a different player physically. I remember that night at Crystal Palace, he looks almost a stone lighter.

"To still be playing for Man United, he was never going to move on with the contract he's got, I think that's the thing with the deals since they last won the league title, that deal was a ridiculous one. It's not going to be renewed, that's the first area they look at bringing reinforcements in in January or the summer."

But United icon Rio Ferdinand mocked Carragher when he said this week on his podcast: "Has football left Casemiro, is it gone? I dunno, is it back? That statement looks worse and worse all the time, because even this season he's done well most of the time.

"I always think this when you look at players in teams and they're not doing well, it's more than just that they're not good enough. There are sometimes big reasons as to team structure and shape of the team, and maybe the relationship with the manager, that isn't enabling them to perform.

"It isn't just about a basic - he isn't good enough, you've got to get rid of him - you've got to look into these things a bit more at times."

After the announcement, Casemiro wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Knowing when stages come to an end. Knowing when to say goodbye when you feel that you will be remembered and respected forever. Four months to give my all for this badge and for our goal.

"Eternal respect and affection for Manchester United and its wonderful fans. Forever Red Devil."