Manchester United star 'agrees to leave' in January as club crisis worsens

12/31/2024 08:57 AM

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has decided he wants to end his stay at Old Trafford in January.

Casemiro joined United from Real Madrid in 2022 and the 32-year-old has made over 100 appearances for the Red Devils in that time, helping the club win the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.

But there has been mounting speculation that Casemiro could be set for the exit door at the Theatre of Dreams, with the Brazilian failing to live up to his £60million price tag and losing his place in United’s starting XI.

While Casemiro returned to the fold for United’s latest painful defeat at home to Newcastle, the five-time Champions League winner was largely ineffective and lasted just 64 minutes before being substituted for Alejandro Garnacho.

Casemiro’s current contract expires in 2026 and United have the option to extend the deal for a further year. But there is a growing acceptance that the move has not worked and a January transfer to the Saudi Pro League appears a real possibility.

According to Brazilian outlet UOL, Casemiro has now ‘agreed to leave’ United and the veteran midfielder is ‘in favour of speeding up the process’ this winter.

It’s claimed Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund are ‘determined’ to push forward with Casemiro’s signing when the January transfer window opens for business.

The report adds that there do not appear to be ‘any major obstacles’ blocking the move at this stage, though it has not yet be decided which club would be best suited to Casemiro.

The Saudi Pro League must first confirm the number of overseas players in the first-team squads of Al-Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al-Ettifaq and Al-Qadsiah before making a decision on Casemiro’s destination.

However, Casemiro is said to be especially ‘well regarded’ at Al Nassr, largely due to the player’s relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo – his long-time team-mate at Real Madrid and, later, Manchester United.

Casemiro has faced heavy criticism throughout much of his stay in the north west and Gary Neville recently named the Brazil international as one of the ‘worst signings in Manchester United’s history’.

Reflecting on Erik ten Hag’s turbulent two-and-a-half year tenure at Old Trafford, Neville told Sky Sports: 'The recruitment to be fair has been appalling for ten years and he's been a victim of that himself.

'I think he [Ten Hag] oversaw two of the worst transfers Manchester United will ever have made in the signings of Casemiro and Antony.

'They were signed for £140-150m in a panic after the Brentford and Brighton losses. I hope I'm wrong, I hope Casemiro can do a great job for the club for four or five years and I hope Antony comes good.

'But those signings are why United have had to go back into the transfer market and sign [Manuel] Ugarte and other players.

'That was the ultimate in poor management from those above Erik ten Hag. That should have been one big fat no when those two players became available for those prices and those salaries.'

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