Casemiro willing to cut salary by 50% to extend contract at Manchester United! Starting spot against Liverpool uncertain, boldly claims Premier League title

Manchester United’s deal with Brazilian captain Casemiro ends this season, and while the club has a priority option for an additional year, it does not intend to exercise it automatically. British outlets reveal that United is looking to extend the contract with "The Tank" on the condition he accepts a substantial reduction in his current wages.

Casemiro’s salary is presently the highest in the team at £350,000 weekly, but because the club failed to qualify for the Champions League, it dropped to £260,000. The star who has won the Champions League five times with Real Madrid will turn 34 next year and is expected to gradually become a rotational player. It is simply unimaginable for a substitute to earn the highest wage in the squad.

Looking back, Manchester United once aimed to renew with De Gea, where the Spanish goalkeeper agreed to reduce his wage from £375,000 to £200,000 per week. However, as is well known, after Ten Hag’s change of heart, the Red Devils withdrew the offer, released De Gea, and signed André Onana.

Similarly, United now hopes to negotiate a new deal with Casemiro at a lower salary, with the midfielder likely needing to accept a 50% pay cut to stay. The club is expected to offer him a contract with a weekly wage no higher than £200,000. Casemiro’s situation is comparable to another veteran, Harry Maguire, the 32-year-old English defender, who also needs to reduce his £190,000 weekly salary to secure a new deal.

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano disclosed that Manchester United has not yet started any renewal talks with Casemiro, and many still believe "The Tank" will leave the club in the summer of 2026. Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail stated: "Bruno Fernandes is very likely to leave next summer, I think Casemiro will also depart, and as for Cody Gakpo, who knows?"

If Casemiro refuses to accept a pay cut for renewal, he will be free to transfer as a free agent. Numerous clubs in his homeland Brazil, as well as several teams in the Saudi Professional League, have expressed interest in signing him. Especially Saudi Arabia, which can offer a deal without any pay cut and even higher earnings. They can start negotiations freely in January and even sign a preliminary contract.

Under coach Rúben Amorim, Casemiro started slow but improved steadily, becoming a regular starter and a key midfielder this season. Barring unforeseen circumstances, he is expected to start in Sunday’s away match at Anfield against Liverpool. It is generally believed that Manchester United will largely field the same lineup as in the 2-0 win over Sunderland. However, the international break did present some special challenges, as Casemiro played full 90 minutes in both Brazil’s matches against South Korea and Japan.

At 33, Casemiro has resumed his role as Brazil’s captain, but the long travel and playing two full matches within a week have posed a significant physical challenge. This preparation is obviously less than ideal for the Premier League’s Red Derby. Nevertheless, Casemiro insists he takes his physical training seriously and expects no issues. Moreover, "The Tank" boldly claimed that Manchester United can still win the Premier League this season. When asked by GQ India who would be champions, he smiled and answered: "Manchester United."

Casemiro added: "I have started realizing the importance of focusing more on physical training and improving my fitness. I come from Brazil, where ball control is highly valued, but you can’t overlook the significance of physical conditioning. In modern football, while technique is important, fitness is also a key factor that determines results. I especially enjoy training my core muscles, although other areas also need attention. Ultimately, a player’s athletic ability depends on inner strength; a strong core helps maintain stability and efficiency. Football often involves physical contact and challenges, so core strength is crucial."

The Manchester Evening News reported that Lisandro Martínez will definitely miss the Liverpool match. Although he will join full team training this week, Manchester United won’t take any risks with his return given his injury history, and it’s unlikely he will be reinstated in the starting lineup anytime soon.

However, British media suggest that before the November international break, Martínez might still have a chance to play again. His personal goal is to feature against Brighton or Nottingham Forest, but the Manchester Evening News believes a comeback during the away game at Tottenham on November 8 is more likely. If the Argentine defender completes his upcoming training smoothly, he could be available for selection.

Casemiro also spoke about Martínez’s recovery, praising his teammate’s relentless spirit. "Martínez is in the final phase of his rehab, and he’s like a warrior, constantly pushing himself in training. He goes to the gym every day and works hard. Whether on or off the pitch, he’s extremely dedicated—like a machine that never stops practicing. He’s truly passionate about giving his all, and we’re very fortunate to have him in the squad. We start training at 9 am, and even by 4 pm, he’s still working. He has enough experience to know when to push harder. I’m happy, and so is everyone else; he’s an indispensable core member of the club."