Casemiro will leave Manchester United when his contract expires in the summer after the club decided not to trigger a one-year extension.

United have chosen to part ways at this point to allow time to shape their summer transfer strategy. There is an eagerness to refresh the mid

field as part of a squad overhaul, the ambition being to recruit younger players for the long term.

Casemiro earns about £430,000 a week and his departure will help free up funds for signings. Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton are on United’s midfield shortlist.

Casemiro, who joined from Real Madrid in 2022 for £70m, wanted his exit announced this month to help him secure his next move. He plans to carry on playing after representing Brazil at the World Cup, and there is interest from clubs in Major League Soccer, Saudi Arabia and his homeland.