Michael Carrick says Casemiro is ‘desperate’ to finish his Manchester United career on a high after it was confirmed that the Brazil star will leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.
United have decided not to trigger the 12-month extension in Casemiro’s £375,000-a-week contract, meaning he will become a free agent in June four years after moving from Real Madrid in a £70million deal.
Carrick has spoken to the 33-year-old and is convinced he will be motivated to make sure his spell at the club doesn’t fizzle out, which was clear enough from his performance in United’s win in last weekend’s Manchester derby.
‘The announcement for Case I think was for clarity as much as anything,’ said Carrick. ‘You know, it was kind of decided anyway before I arrived, so it's not just a knee-jerk decision.
‘The type of personality, the character that he is, I think it shows with his performance last week, and where he is mentally and how much it means for him to be here and to finish the season strong.
‘I've already had that conversation with him. He's desperate to do well and finish well. It's good to see, so I've got no doubts about him at all.’
Casemiro won’t be the only United playing leaving at the end of his contract in the summer. Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Tom Heaton are all expected to leave, and there is a big question mark over Harry Maguire’s future as well.
‘It’s coming into that time of the season with contracts,’ added Carrick. ‘Obviously January is January, in the window and I’m working my way through that and coming towards the end of the season in terms of contracts and decisions that'll obviously be taken and discussions at the right time.’