Casemiro’s resurgence at Manchester United capped by Sao Paulo payout | OneFootball

Manchester United managed a coup by convincing Casemiro to leave the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2022 to move to Old Trafford. The five-time Champions League winner ended his highly successful stint with Real Madrid to start a new chapter with the Premier League giants, hoping to kickstart their return to the top.

The Brazilian started well, becoming an integral part of Erik ten Hag’s starting XI and helping the Red Devils win the EFL Cup in his debut campaign. However, things went downhill in his second season, with the player struggling for form and even failing to make the squad for the FA Cup final, which United won against Manchester City.

The 33 year old’s struggles showed no signs of ending last campaign, first under Ten Hag and then following Ruben Amorim’s arrival. United resisted the lure of offloading him this summer, and it has proven to be the correct decision.

An Old Trafford resurgence

Casemiro has risen like a phoenix this season and has transformed into one of Amorim’s most important men. The Brazilian has appeared 12 times in the Premier League, 11 of which have been starts, chipping in with three goals.

Casemiro Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

While the veteran midfielder is past his prime, he has adapted his gameplay to suit Amorim’s system. Casemiro has forged a stellar partnership with Bruno Fernandes in the middle of the park this season and played a key role in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.

The player’s ability to sniff out danger and his wealth of experience have been invaluable for United as they navigate through a topsy-turvy season. However, with Casemiro’s contract due to expire in just over six months, speculation is rife about his future.

A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person states that the Red Devils might consider extending the Brazilian’s stay at the club provided he is willing to take a pay cut. Amid all the uncertainties surrounding his future, the player has received a bit of good news to help end the year on a high.

Casemiro set for year-end windfall

According to UOL, Casemiro’s long-standing dispute with former club Sao Paulo has come to a fruitful end. The case, involving a labour dispute, has been running since 2014, but the two parties have now reached an agreement.

The Brazilian club will pay their former player €283k this month in employment-related payments. These include match-related earnings, charges pertaining to image rights, and other add-ons and bonuses.

The claim originally stood at €333k, but a settlement has been reached for a lower figure. Sao Paulo will pay the amount in monthly instalments of approximately €16k until December 2026.

There is also a penalty clause in the arrangement, with the player entitled to a 50% surcharge if the club fails to meet the payment schedule. The Brazilian club has already accepted the arrangement, which was approved on Monday by a regional labour court.

While his future hangs in the balance, this little bit of good news will certainly improve the former Real Madrid star’s mood ahead of the festive season.

Final Thoughts

Casemiro’s awareness, intelligence and experience has been the backbone of United’s recent resurgence. While United are expected to reinforce the midfield in 2026, it could be very hard to replace the veteran midfielder’s presence both on the pitch and in the locker room.

As such, a stay could greatly benefit the Premier League giants, provided the finances are in order. However, the Brazilian will turn 34 in February, so he cannot be expected to continue for much longer and must be replaced soon. Recent reports suggest that Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba could be the man to fill his shoes.

Featured image Julian Finney via Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social