Manchester United solve €90 million problem as Casemiro U-turn decision announced
Manchester United have reportedly made a major strategic decision over the future of Casemiro — a move that effectively ends months of uncertainty and marks a significant shift in the club’s long-term midfield planning. After weeks of speculation linking the Brazilian veteran with a move away, sources from within Old Trafford now confirm that United have performed a U-turn on their initial decision to sell the 32-year-old. Instead, Rúben Amorim and the club’s hierarchy have decided to keep Casemiro as part of the squad — but in a redefined role that addresses what insiders had called the “€90 million problem.”
The “problem” wasn’t just about Casemiro’s declining form or injuries; it was about balancing financial realities, tactical evolution, and dressing-room stability. With United in transition under Amorim, the club needed to find a way to justify the massive €70 million transfer fee they paid to Real Madrid in 2022 — plus his enormous wages, estimated at €20 million per year. Combined, Casemiro represented nearly €90 million in total financial commitment, and United were desperate to ensure they extracted lasting value from that investment.
Now, following internal discussions led by Amorim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS football structure, the club believes they have found the solution: Casemiro will stay, but not as an automatic starter. Instead, he will transition into a rotational and mentoring role, focusing on leadership, youth development, and selective tactical deployment.
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A turning point in Amorim’s rebuilding project
When Amorim took charge at Old Trafford, he made no secret of his desire to modernize United’s midfield. He wanted intensity, positional flexibility, and pressing discipline — qualities that Casemiro, once the world’s best defensive midfielder, has struggled to maintain consistently.
The Brazilian’s performances last season were marked by inconsistency and recurring fitness issues. Once an immovable presence in front of the back four, Casemiro at times appeared off the pace, exposed by quicker, more dynamic opponents. There were even matches where Amorim preferred 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo or the technically gifted Sofyan Amrabat in deeper roles, reflecting a clear tactical evolution.
Reports in June suggested United were ready to sell Casemiro if they received a suitable offer, with clubs in Saudi Arabia — particularly Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal — showing strong interest. United were initially open to cashing in, hoping to free up wages for younger reinforcements such as Benfica’s João Neves or Everton’s Amadou Onana.
However, as the summer progressed, Amorim reportedly changed his stance. According to club insiders, he became convinced that Casemiro’s experience and leadership were vital in shaping a new team culture — particularly among the young core of Mainoo, Garnacho, Højlund, and Dalot.
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The key factor: Amorim’s tactical U-turn
Amorim’s initial tactical blueprint for United involved a high-intensity, vertical 3-4-3 system — one that demanded relentless pressing and mobility in midfield. But after assessing the Premier League’s physicality and the balance of his squad, the Portuguese coach has quietly adjusted his approach.
In recent weeks, United have operated in a 4-2-3-1 hybrid system that allows for a deeper double pivot. That adjustment suits Casemiro’s strengths — allowing him to focus more on positioning and ball recovery, rather than extensive running.
A club source told The Athletic:
> “Amorim quickly realised that Casemiro’s leadership and reading of the game remain elite. The issue wasn’t his ability, but the system around him. Once the shape changed and his workload was managed better, Casemiro’s influence started to grow again.”
Indeed, in the last few matches, Casemiro’s performances have improved significantly. He was instrumental in United’s recent victories over Brighton and West Ham, leading by example, marshalling the midfield, and showing flashes of his old Real Madrid brilliance.
Amorim, speaking after the Brighton win, hinted at the change of heart:
> “Casemiro has responded exactly how I hoped. He’s training with great intensity, mentoring the younger players, and leading the team in difficult moments. Every squad needs experience — and his mentality is world class.”
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The financial reality: From liability to long-term asset
Casemiro’s enormous wages have been a point of tension at Old Trafford. His €20 million annual salary made him one of the Premier League’s highest earners — a significant burden for a club now under stricter financial fair play (FFP) monitoring. Early reports claimed INEOS executives viewed the Brazilian as “unsustainable” in the long term, particularly given his age and physical decline.
However, the U-turn doesn’t just keep him in the team — it also restructures his contract situation. Multiple UK outlets report that Casemiro has agreed to a performance-based adjustment in his wage structure, including reduced base pay with appearance-related bonuses.
That change helps United ease wage pressures and allows them to retain a crucial figure in the dressing room without breaching FFP thresholds. It’s also a signal of Casemiro’s commitment to the club — choosing to stay and adapt rather than chase a lucrative move abroad.
An internal source told The Mirror:
> “Casemiro could have gone to Saudi Arabia for double the salary, but he told Amorim and the management he wants to fight for his place. He wants to finish what he started at United.”
This gesture reportedly impressed Amorim and Ratcliffe, who now see him as a bridge between the outgoing senior generation and the rising stars forming United’s future core.
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Mentor to Mainoo and the new midfield generation
Perhaps the most intriguing part of the new plan is Casemiro’s evolving role as a mentor. Amorim sees him as an invaluable guide for Kobbie Mainoo — whose rapid rise has made him one of the Premier League’s brightest young midfielders.
Mainoo, still only 19, has often spoken of Casemiro’s influence, describing him as “a teacher” who explains positioning, anticipation, and decision-making in training sessions. Amorim wants to formalize that relationship, giving Casemiro leadership duties during team meetings and training drills.
The idea, according to reports, is to blend the veteran’s defensive expertise with Mainoo’s energy and modern versatility — a fusion that could define United’s midfield identity for the next decade.
Amorim explained in a recent press conference:
> “Casemiro is a reference point for everyone in this squad. The young players watch how he trains, how he prepares, how he reacts to setbacks. That’s exactly the culture we want at Manchester United — professionalism, responsibility, and pride.”
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Solving the €90 million dilemma
By deciding against an outright sale and instead redefining Casemiro’s role, United have effectively solved their €90 million dilemma. Selling him might have brought short-term financial relief, but it risked weakening the squad’s leadership core and sending the wrong message about loyalty and respect.
Keeping him, but under a new wage structure and tactical purpose, strikes a balance between pragmatism and ambition. It allows Amorim to maintain squad harmony, manage experience efficiently, and avoid another cycle of destabilizing turnover.
It also spares United the embarrassment of losing a player of Casemiro’s calibre for a minimal fee after investing so heavily in him just two years ago. Instead, the club can now extract both sporting and mentoring value from their investment — while planning for a gradual succession.
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Fan reaction and wider implications
Among supporters, reactions to the U-turn have been mixed but largely positive. Many fans had grown frustrated with Casemiro’s inconsistent form earlier in the season, but few doubted his professionalism and influence in the dressing room. His recent resurgence has helped change perceptions.
On social media, one fan wrote: “Casemiro might not play every week anymore, but you don’t throw away players like him. Let him guide Mainoo and Højlund. That’s how you rebuild properly.”
From a broader perspective, the decision reflects United’s growing maturity under INEOS leadership. Instead of panic-selling high earners or relying solely on transfer-market solutions, the club is learning to manage transitions intelligently — combining financial control with human understanding.
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Conclusion: A smart compromise for a new era
Casemiro’s U-turn is more than just a contract decision — it’s a symbol of Manchester United’s new strategic thinking under Amorim and INEOS. The club has found a way to balance its books, preserve experience, and support youth development all in one move.
What was once seen as a €90 million mistake has now become an opportunity for renewal. Casemiro may no longer be the engine that drives United’s midfield every week, but as a leader, mentor, and tactical option, his value remains immense.
For a club desperate to rebuild both its identity and culture, this may be the most quietly significant decision of the season.
Manchester United’s €90 million problem? Solved — not by selling, but by reinventing.
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