Casemiro has one final mission for Michael Carrick before Man Utd farewell

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Casemiro has entered the final weeks of his Manchester United contract before he officially becomes a free agent. Yet the Brazil international can still fulfil a significant role in their future and, more precisely, assist his manager Michael Carrick before he heads off for a new adventure.

The 34-year-old confirmed his departure in March after the club opted against offering him fresh terms, and Carrick has moved swiftly to identify his successor. United struck an agreement with Atalanta to bring in Brazilian midfielder Ederson, 26, for £35million, plus £4m in possible add-ons, with the transfer only awaiting formal confirmation.

Ederson had been occupied with preparations for his new chapter in Manchester before receiving a late call-up to Brazil's World Cup squad last week. Carlo Ancelotti summoned the central midfielder after full-back Wesley suffered an injury, providing Ederson with the opportunity to join forces with his new colleagues Matheus Cunha and Casemiro in the United States .

The latter has experienced a challenging period at Old Trafford but ultimately concluded on a positive note. He netted a personal-best nine league goals as the Reds clinched third spot in the Premier League .

He has been amongst their standout performers in the 2025/26 campaign, though there was a shared understanding that his four-year stint at the club had reached its conclusion after arriving from Real Madrid in 2022.

Despite some testing periods, Casemiro has cherished his strong bond with the United supporters when looking back on his time at the club. Ederson's selection in the Brazil squad means he and Cunha can serve as his trusted allies in the Brazil camp, sharing any knowledge or guidance he possesses to assist him in adapting to his new surroundings.

"All I can do is be grateful, because I am really enjoying myself a lot. Not just me, but all my family. It is an honour for us to listen to the fans' love and affection," he said in April after his exit was announced.

"Lots of people think it is just the last few months, since the announcement, but I have to be thankful, since the very first day that I arrived here, the fans have been amazing with me and my family. So, I am so grateful to the fans, and the United fans, I am going to remember for the rest of my life."

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The biggest distinction between life with Atalanta in Serie A and representing a global institution like United is the pressure that accompanies it. Casemiro was well acquainted with that, having featured for Real Madrid where the expectations for commanding displays are exceptionally high, especially in the Spanish media.

But at United, the environment surrounding the club is completely different. The sharp criticism from club legends who now operate as pundits, particularly when Gary Neville focused on his performances, can be challenging to dismiss. Every pass, movement and error will be scrutinised when Ederson dons that red shirt for the first time.

Casemiro can offer some advice for his compatriot when times become difficult. But the most significant lesson he can impart is that dedication and discipline carry considerable weight in the eyes of a United supporter. The initial comparisons that suggested he was an overpaid failure have faded over time; on his departure, he is regarded as a midfield mainstay who left his impression in M16.

As Ederson prepares to assume his position next season, no one will possess a superior perspective on how to fulfil his duties than the man he is replacing. And that can only prove beneficial for Carrick and United moving forward as they seek to build on an impressive campaign.