Neville: Man Utd right to part ways with ‘exceptional’ Red this summer even if fans ‘absolutely love him’

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Stretty News

·16 marzo 2026

Neville: Man Utd right to part ways with ‘exceptional’ Red this summer even if fans ‘absolutely love him’

Gary Neville believes Manchester United are still making the right decision to part ways with Casemiro this summer, despite the midfielder enjoying a stellar run of form.

The Brazilian legend confirmed in January that he would be leaving United come the end of his contract in June, even though the club had the option to keep him for an additional 12 months.

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How Casemiro’s exit came to fruition

It’s thought that the decision was mutual between Casemiro and the board, as they were unwilling to continue paying his exorbitant £350,000-a-week wages for another year.

Any chance of him continuing beyond the summer would therefore have required negotiations over a new deal on reduced terms, which neither party advocated.

However, the 33-year-old proving to be United’s most dependable defensive midfielder this campaign has prompted fans to question whether he should be departing in just three months’ time.

Casemiro was on the scoresheet once again yesterday when he headed in a crucial opener in the side’s crunch clash at home to Aston Villa.

He combined with Bruno Fernandes for the fifth time this term, which is the most of any partnership in the Premier League in 2025/2026 thus far.

Even aside from his goal, Casemiro put in a robust shift to help get the win over the line, making nine defensive contributions, three clearances, three recoveries, one interception and one block, while also winning 100 per cent of his aerial duels contested and two ground duels.

In attack, he made five passes into the final third, had four touches in Villa’s box and dispatched four accurate long balls. The only element that slightly dampened his afternoon was that he received a yellow card – but that’s nothing out of the ordinary.

Fans inside Old Trafford recognised the five-time Champions League winner’s game-changing impact and responded with a new chant that rang out from the stands throughout the match and at full-time.

“One more year, one more year, Casemiro. One more year, one more year, I say!” sang the United faithful.

(Casemiro’s record in all competitions for United)

Neville disagrees with United fans over Casemiro’s future

In response on Sky Sports post-match, Neville hailed the veteran Red, but added that United are doing the right thing by not offering him a new contract.

“Obviously, Manchester United got him at the latter part of his career. What he was was an exceptional central midfield player who played in one of the most dominant midfields that you’ll ever see at Real Madrid,” said Neville.

“But it’s right that United do let him go, and it’s right that he does leave United. This is like a cameo at the end of his career. Almost like a swansong where he’s probably loving every minute, and you can see it.

“He’s kissing his badge to the fans. The fans absolutely love him, and it’s right that he does leave at the end of the season.

“His legs at times have let him down. What I would say is there was a period in the middle of his four-year contract where he looked heavier in his body, and I don’t know what happened there.

“Whether it was the training, whether it was something that happened with him or whatever, I don’t know. But [now] he looks fitter, he looks leaner, he looks freer, and look, he’s doing a great job.”