Michael Owen has dropped an incredible assessment of Casemiro and the Brazil star’s run of form for Manchester United in the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Casemiro is under contract with Manchester United until the end of June before the 34-year-old Brazilian defensive midfielder walks out of the club as a free agent.
The former Real Madrid star had a profound impact in the second half of the 2025-26 campaign after his key role under Red Devils head coach Michael Carrick.
Casemiro netted five times and registered an assist in his 15 Premier League matches under Michael Carrick after the United legend returned to Old Trafford.
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Michael Owen feels that the tail end of Casemiro’s Man Utd run defined the midfielder’s chapter at Old Trafford
Casemiro was written off by his critics before the five-time Champions League winner sent a statement of intent with his superb performances this season.
The former Los Blancos ace scored nine times and picked up two assists in 35 matches across all competitions for Manchester United ahead of his club exit.
United had the option to keep Casemiro for another 12 months, but the Red Devils ultimately chose not to trigger the Brazil international’s contract extension.
Not only did Michael Owen include Casemiro in his Premier League Team of the Season, but he also thinks the Brazilian played his best football at United in his last six months.
“I have Declan Rice, [he] was just a simple selection [for my Team of the Season],” he told the Premier League’s official website.
“He went straight [into the team] and he was one of the first names on the team sheet. Casemiro, I’ve been so impressed with him.
“I know people say the wages he is on and he’s playing on a great stage [and] for a great team, of course, you know all of those things that enter your head, why you should continue [and you] should play.
“And the career he’s had, winning all those trophies at great clubs; I mean, easy for him, hardly playing at some stages of his Manchester United career, but he’s actually played the best football in the last sort of six months of his career at Manchester United.”
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Michael Owen on Casemiro’s performances for Man Utd in the 2025-26 Premier League season
Casemiro had been a linchpin midfield influence in the two-man pivot for United manager Michael Carrick after Ruben Amorim was sacked as the head coach.
Owen waxed lyrical about the veteran United midfielder’s role on the pitch, including both his attacking and defensive qualities in his overall performances this season.
“He scores important goals,” he continued.
“He’s incredible defensively, as well [as from] set pieces — he wins most [if not] every ball that comes into that post area.
“And I just think when a lot of people questioned whether his best days were gone, he’s come back with a vengeance and Manchester United have been absolutely brilliant this season, you know, steamrolling into third in the Premier League and his performances have been absolutely outstanding.
“He is going to be really, really difficult to replace.”
Casemiro, who arrived at Old Trafford from Real Madrid after his blockbuster transfer in 2022, has been linked with a free transfer move to the MLS this summer.
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