Casemiro sends new message over Manchester United future as struggles continue | OneFootball

Brazilian international has been subject to strong criticism for his performances at Old Trafford this term

The former Real Madrid stalwart has received intense criticism for his performances during another dismal Premier League season overall at Old Trafford, struggling under both Erik ten Hag and successor Ruben Amorim, who seems to have made it clear that he is not part of his plans moving forward.

Casemiro had made just two appearances and no starts since December before 15th-place United’s new selection crisis led to an unexpected recall for Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Tottenham, their eighth loss in the last 12 league games, with Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Christian Eriksen, Toby Collyer and Mason Mount all among the list of 12 absentees through either injury or illness.

Many fans felt he would likely have been substituted much earlier had it not been for a lack of senior replacements on a hugely inexperienced bench that included eight teenagers, none of whom had previously made a single first-team appearance for United.

Casemiro has been heavily linked with moves away from Old Trafford in each of the last two transfer windows, with clubs in Saudi Arabia believed to remain keen on a deal.

However, it seems despite those well-documented struggles on the pitch that the 32-year-old is aiming to complete a contract that runs until the summer of 2026 - with a club option for a further year surely very unlikely to be triggered - and reportedly pays him around £300,000 a week.

"I have to keep doing what I'm doing, with a lot of respect, and good behaviour," Casemiro said in a new interview with Spanish outlet AS.

"Of course, I'd like to play more. I don't know any player who doesn't want to play. And I want to help the club at this time. I face things with respect for my team-mates and the staff, and above all, respect for United.

"I have a year-and-a-half left on my contract, and I'd like to see it out here in Manchester. I'm comfortable here, and my family is too. They've adapted, we speak English.

“I'm very grateful to the fans and the club. I'm happy at the club. Happy on the bench? Of course not, that's something else.”