High-earning Manchester United star set to avoid salary cap penalty as player heads for Old Trafford exit

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Manchester United head coach / manager Michael Carrick applauds after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Copa/Getty Images)
The Red Devils star has been a regular under Michael Carrick (Image credit: Getty Images)

Despite their recent upturn in form, Manchester United are set for another busy summer as the task of turning the club around continues.

A new permanent head coach will be Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s key priority in the summer, with interim boss Michael Carrick continuing to impress, having won four of the five Premier League matches he has overseen since he replaced Ruben Amorim in the dugout earlier this year.

The playing squad has clearly bought into his methods following Amorim’s exit, with one aging star - who will not be returning next season - particularly catching the eye.

Casemiro’s potential next move identified

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro

Casemiro joined Manchester United in 2022 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester United confirmed last month that midfielder Casemiro will leave the club this summer when his contract expires at the end of the current season.

The 34-year-old, who signed from Real Madrid for £70 million in 2022 has made 150 appearances for the Red Devils and, despite being seemingly written off at various points of his Manchester United career, has been a key player under Carrick.

Casemiro

Casemiro will be hoping to be a part of Carlo Ancelotti's World Cup squad this summer (Image credit: Getty)

But with both parties seemingly ready to move on, the Brazilian is reportedly the subject of interest from Major League Soccer clubs as he plots his next move.

According to The Telegraph, America is a realistic option for the Brazilian, who was recently on holiday in Miami and is said to be drawn by the lifestyle of an MLS move.

Manchester United do have a one-year option on his £300,000-a-week contract, but have confirmed they will not trigger it, with the MLS able to pay Casemiro as a designated player, meaning he would not be included in any club’s salary cap projections.

Carrick, however, believes that the former Sao Paulo star is still able to play at the highest level, which could convince suitors in Europe to register their interest.

“I’m sure he can, he’s playing as good a level as he’s played at for some time at the moment, and it’s great to see in so many ways,” Carrick said. “The experience, technically, game understanding, just composure in certain moments, he’s in a really good place.

Casemiro celebrates with his winner's medal after Real Madrid's victory in the 2017 Champions League final against Juventus

Casemiro won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid (Image credit: Alamy)

“I’ve got to say, Cas has been fantastic since I came really, on and off the pitch. Experience is a great thing if you use it in the right way, and again, I think over time being a senior player here is almost the responsibility of the example, and helping the younger players, helping the rest of the boys, and passing on your experiences in a positive way.

“He’s been top since I came, in so many ways, and he’s been a pleasure to work with.”

In FourFourTwo’s view, Casemiro’s recent form has certainly been a factor in Manchester United’s recent upturn, but with the Brazil international having just turned 34, a move to the MLS may be his best route to signing a multi-year deal as he winds down an honour-packed career.

Joe Mewis

For more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.

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