The adage in life is that all good things must come to an end, and that is becoming increasingly clear with Casemiro and Manchester United Football Club.
Few would have expected the Brazilian to be part of the first-team squad for the 2025/26 season, but the decision turned out to be phenomenal for Michael Carrick’s side.
The 34-year-old scored again against Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday night, taking his tally of Premier League goals this season to nine.
He is tied for second in the club’s scoring charts this season, but is unlikely to be able to replicate those heights for the Red Devils in 2026/27.
It has already been confirmed that he will leave the club when his current contract expires this summer, which will no doubt be a blow to fans and Manchester staff.
Manchester United PL top scorer (2025/26) | |
|---|---|
player | tally |
Benjamin Sesco | 10 |
Brian Mbeumo | 9 |
Casemiro | 9 |
Matheus Cunha | 8 |
Bruno Fernandes | 8 |
mason mount | 3 |
patrick dorug | 3 |
Amad Diallo | 2 |
Manchester United sign £70m Premier League star
Casemiro’s pending departure will undoubtedly leave a huge hole in the heart of United’s squad, something the team desperately needs to address this summer.
Nottingham Forest star Elliott Anderson has always been touted as one of the main options to replace the Brazilian in the upcoming transfer window.
However, his transfer fee of £100m, coupled with Manchester City’s interest in signing him, could make completing a move a bit more difficult.
Anderson is not Forest’s only star player currently in the off-season, with centre-back Murillo also currently being considered.
According to the Telegraph, the Red Devils have begun the process of signing and evaluating a number of centre-backs in order to strengthen their position. In fact, they have already contacted Murillo to check on a potential move for the Brazilian star.
The paper also claims that the 23-year-old has impressed staff behind the scenes at Old Trafford, which could increase the chances of a move in the summer.
However, any deal is likely to be expensive, with the Reds seeking a fee in the region of £70m if they let go of one of their star performers.
Why Murillo gives United shades of Casemiro
Casemiro’s departure has been made purely from a financial perspective, with the experienced star currently being the club’s highest earner.
Manchester United player salaries (2025/26) | |
|---|---|
player | wages |
Casemiro | £350,000 |
Bruno Fernandes | 300,000 pounds |
Matthijs de Ligt | 195,000 pounds |
Matheus Cunha | £180,000 |
Benjamin Sesco | £160,000 |
harry maguire | £150,000 |
luke shaw | £150,000 |
mason mount | £150,000 |
Brian Mbeumo | £150,000 |
His form on the pitch throughout the 2025/26 season was incredible, with fans demanding the 34-year-old stay at the club for another year.
However, it is highly unlikely that the club will reverse their decision to allow him to leave, which would only increase the importance of the summer transfer window.
Carrick’s recent influence at Old Trafford has seen the club almost certain to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
As a result, additional funds will certainly be available on the market, which could go hand-in-hand with the ability to attract top talent to move to Manchester.
Murillo is just one of the players who could be tempted to join the Red Devils this summer and could get the chance to emulate his compatriot should he make the move.
Like Casemiro, the Forest star is a Brazilian warrior with a tenacious style of play that could resonate with the fan base in the same way the current midfielder says.
Although the two players have different roles on the pitch, their performances in the Premier League are testament to the quality they possess, along with their tenacious, workmanlike styles.
The centre-back has won 54% of his ground battles and has made 1.4 interceptions per 90, ranking him in the top 15% of all defenders in the division.
Figures like this highlight his quality off the ball, which will undoubtedly improve United’s defensive department, but like Casemiro, he has similar quality in possession.
However, when it comes to the ball, the Forest star has been equally impressive this term, completing 64% of his dribbles and completing 3.5 long balls per 90.
From the aforementioned stats, there is no doubt that he is a good ball-playing option at the back and is often able to make a huge impact within the attacking area, as his compatriot showed in the 2025/26 season.
Like the departing midfielder, he also produced moments of magic in front of goal, as seen with his incredible running ability and long-range attacks in the Europa League match against Fenerbahçe.
All eyes will be on who United sign to replace Casemiro this summer, but signing Murillo could give the club a long-term solution to their injury problems in their defense.
Although £70 million is a significant investment given the need to strengthen the midfield, this is a move to secure world-class talent for the future.
If he mirrors his compatriot’s influence at Old Trafford, it will also be shrewd business and could lead the Red Devils to glory in the near future.
Carrick must drop Man United’s 18 missed passes to become new Garnacho
Manchester United cemented their place in third place with a 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford.
