Casemiro will leave Manchester United this summer when his contract expires, ending a four-season stint that cost an estimated £119m. The 33-year-old midfielder, signed from Real Madrid for £60m in 2022 on £350,000-per-week wages, will not have his option triggered. His departure caps a mixed legacy at Old Trafford.

His arrival was a desperate, short-term fix for Erik ten Hag's early struggles, helping deliver Champions League qualification. Initially hailed as a transformative signing, his elite midfield control was crucial in winning the Carabao Cup. However, his second season exposed the risks of signing an aging star, with his pace sometimes struggling in the Premier League's intensity.

Despite being cast aside initially by new manager Ruben Amorim, Casemiro fought back to become a regular starter this season. His man-of-the-match display in the recent Manchester derby proved he still possesses quality. United must now find a younger, more athletic replacement to avoid a midfield drop-off next season.