Brazil star Casemiro has now explained why he does not plan to make a late U-turn on his Manchester United future ahead of the end of the current campaign.
Casemiro is in the tail end of his Manchester United playing spell after it was confirmed in January that he would be leaving the Premier League club this summer.
United had the option to keep the 34-year-old Brazilian defensive midfielder at Old Trafford if they had chosen to extend his contract by 12 months.
However, the Red Devils will not trigger the extension clause in Casemiro’s existing deal, despite the Man Utd midfielder’s stunning resurgence in form this season.
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Casemiro has been met with pleas from different Manchester United fans at Premier League matches about extending his future at the Premier League club.
The five-time Champions League winner has been a key United first-team player for interim boss Michael Carrick since Ruben Amorim was sacked by the Red Devils.
Casemiro has netted nine times and registered two assists in 34 matches across all competitions for Man Utd in his final season at Old Trafford.
Speaking to ESPN Brasil, the former Real Madrid ace insisted that he is keen to leave “through the front door” and showed his appreciation towards Man Utd fans as well.
“I don’t think there’s a chance, there’s no chance [of staying another year],” he said.
“It’s leaving through the front door. It’s been four beautiful, wonderful years, and I’m eternally grateful not only to the club but to the fans.
“I think if there’s one thing I’ll cherish most from these four years here, it’s having the fans with me. But no, I think it’s over. The cycle has ended here.”
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Casemiro has been heavily linked with clubs in the MLS ahead of his Man Utd exit at the end of the season, with Inter Miami and LA Galaxy vying to sign him.
The Brazil international insisted that he is ready to embrace a new challenge in his career and feels like he wants to leave United while he is still on “top.”
“I’m moving on to a new chapter in my career,” Casemiro added.
“I still have to decide where I’m going. But I think I have to leave on a high note, I have to leave on top.
“I will be a lifelong United supporter here in England and I can only thank all the fans for their affection.”
Casemiro has lifted both the FA Cup trophy and the League Cup trophy at Man Utd since his blockbuster transfer from Real Madrid in 2022.
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