Man Utd midfielder Casemiro was disappointing against Burnley as the points were shared on Wednesday night.
Casemiro was a straggler when Manchester United arrived at Turf Moor. He was detached at the back of the group as the players entered the ground, and he was off the pace throughout the game.
The Brazilian delivered the kind of performance that proves why United must allow him to leave this summer and resist the temptation to extend his deal after a decent run of form at the start of the campaign.
Casemiro was a passenger for both Burnley goals. The 33-year-old looked like he should have been playing walking football, rooted to the ground as Burnley passed around him.
“We get 2-1 up and then I felt we were a bit passive again,” explained Darren Fletcher during his post-match press conference. Casemiro was part of the problem in Lancashire.
In mid-November, United had conceded just five goals when he had been on the pitch, and 15 when he had been off it, but it was always going to be impossible for Casemiro to sustain that level of form.
Casemiro will celebrate his 34th birthday next month. He deserves huge credit for even creating a conversation about whether to extend his deal when it should have been cut and dry, but the decision on his future is obvious: United must cut ties with Casemiro and bid him farewell at the end of the season.
United have the option to extend Casemiro’s contract by 12 months, which some have suggested makes sense, however, that would mean he would continue to be the highest earner in the dressing room. It would be an Ed Woodward-esque decision to extend Casemiro’s deal, although the events of the last week show Ineos’ leadership has more in common with their predecessors than they would admit.
You wouldn’t put it past United’s hierarchy to make that decision, but they will allow Casemiro to run down his contract if they have any sense. Ruben Amorim’s sacking may also influence the decision.
Amorim was an advocate of Casemiro after initially overlooking him following his appointment from Sporting Lisbon. Last month, Amorim was asked whether there was an update on the contracts of Casemiro and Harry Maguire, and he said: “No, there is no decision, we have a lot to do.
“We need to understand what is going to happen in the next season because we need to understand there are European games, and what we are doing. So we have so much to do at this moment. We are not thinking about that. We will just think about the next game.”
Amorim was asked whether he would like to keep both players for next season and responded: “I’m really happy with them, but I don’t know what is going to happen, so we will see what will happen until the end of the season, what position we will be, and then we will see.”
Discussing whether the uncertainty could impact Casemiro’s form, Amorim said: “It’s not that situation, I’m not saying whether he is staying or not. Then when I see Casemiro training, if everyone trained like him, if everyone is so focused on the detail, even in set-piece training.
“Even when they are playing 10 versus the goalkeeper and the movement that he makes. Imagine in the game, we will be a top team. If everybody works like Casemiro. And when I say work, it’s not just about the running, it’s the focus, and you can understand why that guy won five Champions Leagues.
“If you pay attention to everything that he does, with contract or with no contract, he’s a top player.”
Amorim spoke warmly about Casemiro’s work ethic and quality, to the extent that he gave the impression that the midfielder’s deal could be extended under certain conditions.
Casemiro lost a major ally when United announced Amorim’s sacking at the beginning of the week, although he was not one of the players who thanked Amorim on social media when his exit was confirmed. The former Real Madrid midfielder posted “we fought but couldn’t get the first win of the year” to his 22 million followers on Instagram after drawing with Leeds last weekend.
United sources believe Amorim intentionally orchestrated his sacking during that post-match press conference. Casemiro wouldn’t have been pleased to see a manager who trusted him walking out the door.
Casemiro will also be out the exit door in a few months, provided United make the right decision.
2026-01-08 14:42:54
