Rio Ferdinand has suggested that Manchester United midfielder Casemiro could leave before the January transfer window closes, following his fall from grace under manager Ruben Amorim.
Casemiro, who was regularly featured at the start of Amorim’s tenure, has not seen any playing time in the last two matches, with a poor performance against Newcastle United leading to his omission.
During the FA Cup third-round game against Arsenal, Amorim chose to replace Kobbie Mainoo with academy graduate Toby Collyer, overlooking the seasoned Casemiro.
Casemiro enjoyed a stellar career at Real Madrid, earning over 300 appearances and winning three La Liga titles, making him one of the most decorated players in Champions League history.
Manchester United paid £70m for him in 2022, and his first season showed promise as he played 51 games across all competitions.
However, his form dipped significantly in the 2023-24 season, and some pundits, including former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, suggested it may be time for him to retire from top-tier football.
As Casemiro’s minutes continue to decrease under Amorim, Ferdinand believes a January departure could be imminent.
On his YouTube channel, Ferdinand questioned whether the midfielder, who has rarely been on the bench throughout his career, would be content with his current role.
He speculated that if an offer came in, Casemiro would likely consider it, and the club might be open to the idea as well.
Ferdinand also praised Toby Collyer’s energy and performance against Arsenal, noting the young player’s significant contribution after coming on.
Manchester United is expected to make several changes to their squad before the winter window closes, with Marcus Rashford reportedly eager to leave in search of a career revival. Joshua Zirkzee, who scored the decisive penalty in the Arsenal match, is also linked with a return to Italy.
The Red Devils, currently 13th in the Premier League, will face Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round before resuming league play against bottom-dwelling Southampton.