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Even the most optimistic Manchester United fan would have struggled to make a decent case for extending Casemiro's contract beyond 2026 last season. The five-time Champions League winner reserved his best performances for the Europa League in 2024/25, with his Premier League showings not good enough for a team of United's stature. With no European football on offer this season it seemed the Brazilian would be on the fringes of first-team action, but three months into the campaign and he's one of the first names on the team sheet. Casemiro's contract expires next summer, though United could trigger the clause in his deal to add an additional 12 months onto his Old Trafford stay. With United expected to target a central midfielder next summer and Casemiro turning 34 in February, it might seem silly to do so. But he's still showing he can add value to the squad and could prove to be an invaluable mentor for any new recruit. So what should United do? Our writers have had their say: Casemiro has been hugely important this season. United are weaker when he is not on the pitch, which was highlighted again last weekend when he was replaced by Manuel Ugarte. Wilson Odobert breezed past Ugarte and Tottenham scored an equaliser. Casemiro's strong performances have sparked a conversation about his contract situation, but I believe he should be allowed to leave in the summer on a free transfer, regardless of how important he continues to be this season. United must take a long-term view and it's not logical to extend Casemiro's contract when he's in the winter of his career, so this season should be his swansong in Manchester. The fact that there is even a conversation among some fans about extending Casemiro's deal is a credit to him, but United should allow him to leave in the summer and sign a replacement. Casemiro will be 34 in February. How long he can keep up this level of performance is up for debate, and that's without mentioning he is the highest earner in the dressing room. The end of the season is an opportunity to move on from Casemiro and it should be taken. The Brazilian can leave the club with his head held high if he bows out by helping to secure Champions League qualification. Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher seldom pull punches but even by their hard-hitting standards, a couple of remarks about Casemiro were genuine haymakers. “I think he (Erik ten Hag) oversaw two of the worst transfers Manchester United will ever have made in the signings of Casemiro and Antony,” Neville once said. And his Sky Sports sparring partner reminded the Brazilian midfielder of what is, apparently, an old adage in the game, Carragher advising Casemiro to “leave the football before the football leaves you.” Well, Casemiro has not only survived the verbal blows, he has produced a few performances that suggest reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated. Everyone knows this season’s most telling Casemiro statistic - five goals conceded when he has been on the pitch, 15 when he has been off it. He also has three goals, one assist and tops the tackle chart with 22. In short, he is proving a very valuable asset for Ruben Amorim. United should keep him for another season. If that means activating a clause which keeps him on the same extravagant wages, then fine. It’s a big club. Act big. Amorim will be desperate for a younger, more athletic, more dynamic defensive midfielder, but he will also need experienced alternatives and back-up. If that costs a few more quid than you would like, so be it. Football has not left Casemiro… and he should not be leaving Old Trafford. United will sign a central midfielder next summer and so there isn't much of a case to be made for keeping Casemiro for his influence on the pitch. However, having somebody with his experience around the club would be a massive help for whoever United decide to sign. Manuel Ugarte has done little this season to suggest he can help a new signing bed in, and so Casemiro should be kept at Old Trafford. That being said, it would have to be on reduced terms. United cannot afford to have such a high earner on the books purely for the experience he brings, and so a compromise on his salary would need to be reached. There's no escaping the fact United look a much better side when Casemiro is in the team. Full credit goes to the Brazilian for turning the public perception of him around. Should he stay beyond this season? Yes, but only on the right terms. United cannot afford for Casemiro to be one of the highest earners at the club. He has proven this season that he can play this system and be a good option for Amorim. Should he stay, United still can't avoid the midfield issue for another summer - they must sign a new first choice defensive midfielder and allow Casemiro to be the back-up.
