Man United midfielder Casemiro can trigger a one-year extension in his contract if he starts 35 games in all competitions this season.
The Brazilian, who turns 34 next month, agreed a three-year deal worth some £350,000-per-week with an option for a further year when he signed for the club in 2023.
His wages have since dropped to less than £300,000, according to reports, due to the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Casemiro is widely expected to leave in the summer with the hierarchy at Old Trafford no-doubt reluctant to trigger his extra year given the cost of his salary, though it may be out of their hands.
The defensive midfielder has started 18 games so far this term and, if he takes that tally to 35, his contract will be automatically extended and his wages restored to £350,000-per-week.
It is, however, unlikely that the Red Devils’ No. 18 will reach that target. After the club’s first-round elimination from both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, Casemiro would need to start all 17 of United’s remaining league games to reach 35 starts in all competitions.
Man United midfielder Casemiro can trigger a one-year extension in his contract if he starts 35 games in all competitions this season
The Brazilian, who turns 34 next month, agreed a three-year deal worth some £350,000-per-week with an option for a further year when he signed for the club in 2023
Despite the midfielder’s renaissance of sorts this campaign, at the age of 33, he will likely need resting and the club itself will be keen to ensure his extension isn’t triggered.
Whether Casemiro will be a mainstay under new head coach Michael Carrick remains to be seen, though it’s likely he will start tomorrow’s Manchester derby after being left out against Brighton last weekend.
The clash with the Red Devils’ Mancunian neighbours will be Carrick’s first in the Old Trafford dugout alongside his new assistants Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate and former United centre-back Jonny Evans.
The ex-Middlesbrough boss was appointed earlier this week after beating Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the role, and addressed the media for the first time at Carrington on Friday.
He insisted that the powers that be at United have not set him and his coaching team any goals for the remainder of the season, though the target has to be European football.
‘Like I said, we want to be near the top of the league, we want to be top of the league. That’s pretty obvious to say, but we’ve got to take some small steps towards that, and European football obviously would be a step forward. We’ve got to keep pushing,’ Carrick said.
Michael Carrick addressed the media for the first time on Friday since his appointment earlier this week
‘I’ve spoken to Jason an awful lot and working closely with Jason and Omar as well over the last few days, we’ve spoken a lot as you’d imagine.
‘The ownership group were in and around it. It was nice to see them and meet them yesterday and have a small chat with them, taking care of business in some ways. We were able to share a few things, so they wished us the very best and it was good to see them.’
With United currently sitting in seventh position, Carrick faces a tough introduction to life in the Old Trafford hotseat with games against Arsenal, Fulham and Spurs following the Manchester derby.
