Casemiro’s Manchester United exit this summer will hasten plans for the club’s midfield rebuild after the Brazil international confirmed he will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Casemiro, 33, will depart Old Trafford four years after his £60m move from Real Madrid, which will offload £350,000-a-week from the United wage bill.
With centre-back Harry Maguire, left-back Tyrell Malacia and goalkeeper Tom Heaton also out of contract, United will be able to cut the wage bill considerably and therefore will be armed with the ability to revamp the squad and address the obvious weaknesses at the heart of the team. Heaton is understood to be in the frame for an extension as United’s No 3 because of how he works in the group of goalkeepers.
Telegraph Sport has already reported that United will lead the summer race for available central midfielders, with inquiries already made last summer for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.
England pair Elliot Anderson, currently at Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, are also expected to be targeted by Premier League and European clubs, but any deals for the three deep-lying midfielders could near or even exceed the £100m mark.
However, whether United would be willing to meet the nine-figure fees that rivals Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have committed to spending in recent seasons remains to be seen, given their absence from European football this season and the reduction in earnings that come with it.
Casemiro has proven to be an important player for United this season amid a flurry of injuries over the first half of the campaign, while fellow midfielder Kobbie Mainoo found himself frozen out of the first-team picture for large periods.
Despite the sacking of former head coach Ruben Amorim earlier this month, United will press on with plans to revamp their midfield department although the rubber stamp on any new signings will only come once the identity of United’s next permanent manager is known.
Michael Carrick, the former United midfielder, replaced Amorim until the end of the season and immediately triggered calls to be handed the permanent role after overseeing the 2-0 victory over Manchester City last weekend, although the club’s Ineos co-owners are prepared to wait until after the World Cup for the ideal candidate to lead the team next season.
Until the appointment, the club’s overall strategy will be dictated by Omar Berrada, the club’s chief executive, and Jason Wilcox, the director of football, although moves to bring in new players will not be put on hold as Christopher Vivell, the head of recruitment, will oversee the summer’s plans alongside them.
That should bring the likes of England head coach Thomas Tuchel, Brazil’s Carlo Ancelotti, the United States’ Mauricio Pochettino and Germany’s Julian Nagelsmann into the equation
During Erik ten Hag’s reign, United tried to sign Frenkie de Jong after the pair worked together at Ajax, with the Dutch coach identifying a weakness in the No 6 role with no obvious candidate capable of picking the ball up from the centre-backs and dictating play.
But United ended up signing Casemiro, who turns 34 next month, in a move that has cost in excess of £110m when transfer fee and wages are combined.
The Brazilian announced his departure in a statement posted on the United website on Thursday, in which he vowed to “give my everything” for the remainder of the season to help the club qualify for a Champions League return.
“I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life,” Casemiro said.
“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.”
Having forced his way back into first-team plans after a period of poor form last season, Casemiro added on his social media account that his decision to leave was “knowing when stages come to an end” and “when to say goodbye when you feel that you will be remembered and respected forever”.
He added: “Four months to give my all for this badge and for our goal. Eternal respect and affection for Manchester United and its wonderful fans.”