In spite of ongoing rumours that he may be leaving Manchester United, midfielder Casemiro has said that he is “so happy” at the Theatre of Dreams.
In his first season at Old Trafford, the 31-year-old and Christian Eriksen formed a potent midfield connection that helped the team finish third in the Premier League and win the EFL Cup.
In the 2022–23 season, Casemiro also shone for Erik ten Hag’s squad, with seven goals and six assists, but the former Real Madrid player has had an unmemorable second season in Manchester so far.
Casemiro’s 2023–24 season has been restricted to only 12 appearances due to a serious ankle injury. In those games, he has contributed one assist and four goals; his last Premier League game was on the first weekend of October.
The Brazil international is anticipated to play in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round match against Newport County, but his long-term future at Old Trafford is still up in the air. On January 14, he was back on the bench against Tottenham Hotspur.
It was reported in December that the club’s decision to spend £60 million on the midfield player—who would probably be let go under the new INEOS regime—was questioned by new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
It has been said that Casemiro’s former colleague Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Manchester United is working to get the 31-year-old to Al-Nassr. The Red Devils may even give him a £20 million payout to depart in the summer.
In an interview with MBC, which The Mirror obtained, Casemiro, whose contract is set to expire in 2026, pledged to assist Manchester United in turning things around in the second half of the current campaign and beyond.
“It’s all amazing; since the first day, I was made to feel very welcome by the club, the players, and the fans,” said the 31-year-old. “I was showered with adoration both on and off the field.
It was a special and enchanted event, and I needed it. With all Manchester and the club have to offer, I couldn’t be happier. That and my assistance in the club’s improvement and return to the road of accomplishments make me glad. Thus, I’m delighted to be a member of Manchester United.”
Before joining the Red Devils from Los Blancos, Casemiro won five Champions League championships with Real Madrid. In 63 games across all competitions, he has contributed seven assists and eleven goals for the Devils.
Casemiro seems to be staying at Old Trafford with only five days left until the January transfer window shuts, but the Red Devils have let go of a few more undesired midfield players.
The first player out was Donny van de Beek, who signed a one-year loan with Eintracht Frankfurt. The 26-year-old has played all three of Die Adler’s recent Bundesliga games, but he was substituted off at halftime in Friday’s 1-0 victory over Mainz.
Hannibal Mejbri, meanwhile, will spend the upcoming months with struggling Sevilla in La Liga. However, head coach Quique Sanchez Flores of Palanganas recently disclosed that the Tunisian international is not being considered for selection, stating that he requires “space” to comprehend the demands being made of him.
However, Jadon Sancho has returned to Borussia Dortmund with a quick start, setting up two goals in his first two Bundesliga games.
