- Manchester United midfielder praises interim head coach
- What does Carrick need to do to ensure the job
- Just three games left of Casemiro
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has said he believes interim head coach Michael Carrick “completely deserves” the full-time position ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Though Casemiro featured heavily under Carrick’s predecessor, Ruben Amorim, he has found a second wind under the Englishman, starting every game and completing nine full 90-minute performances.
Casemiro’s goalscoring exploits have also impressed. This season, under Amorim, he recorded four goals and one assist in 18 matches.
That figure has surged under Carrick; across 14 games, he has scored five times and provided one assist. Fernandes and the Brazilian have developed a strong understanding, with the Portuguese midfielder assisting Casemiro on six occasions this season.
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“He’s been doing an incredible job”
Speaking to ESPN, Casemiro said Carrick “completely deserves” the job after transforming both the team and the club’s season.
“In my opinion, he completely deserves it [the Manchester United job], I think he’s a guy who has already demonstrated that he has very good qualities to be a Manchester United coach. So it’s not up to me to choose, it’s up to the club.”
Casemiro added:
“But if I could give my opinion, of course he deserves it, and he deserves the club’s total trust. Of course, the season is year-round, but since he arrived, he’s been doing an incredible job and I think that with more time he has everything to be a great manager of Manchester United.“
The Brazilian continued:
“He’s a coach who knows the club, he’s a coach who was an idol at the club, he’s a coach who played a lot, won titles here, knows what the club is like, he knows what Manchester United is. So, full credit to the coach and there wasn’t much time, that for me was one of the big surprises, because he entered the middle of a troubled season.
Casemiro pointed out a change in confidence:
“And the games, when he arrived, were not so much those games that we say to gain confidence, although in the Premier League there were not so many games like that, but those games, so there have already been difficult games.
He concluded:
“And the guy arrived and managed to change the club and me in particular, even more so because he was a former player, a midfielder. I’m happy for the person he is, the guy is a sensational person, an incredible person, and he deserves everything that’s happening in his career.”
Casemiro Confirms He’s Leaving
The former Real Madrid midfielder also ended any possibility of him remaining at the club. After his goal against Brentford on April 27, fans sang “one more year, one more year, Casemiro,” urging the Brazilian to stay.
But Casemiro has already confirmed he will leave, reiterating it:
“I don’t think there’s a chance [that he stays], there’s no chance. Mostly because of what I said, you know? Go out the big door, I think it was four beautiful, wonderful years and I am eternally grateful not only to the club, but to the fans.“
He added:
“But I think I have to leave on good terms, I have to go out on top. I will be an eternal United fan here in England and I just have to thank all the love from the fans.”
It’s Carrick
Carrick has all but sealed the job. After securing Champions League football, he now stands ‘expected’ to be offered the role.
Of course, sealing it in style by beating his three remaining opponents would all but confirm his appointment. Seventy-three points would mark the club’s highest tally since the 2020/21 season, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led United to a second-placed finish.
But for Casemiro, it presents three more chances not only to reach double figures in goals for the first time in his career, but also to play in front of fans who adore him three more times.
Sadly, unlike seasons gone by, United will be on the road for the final day of the 2025/26 campaign, meaning the last game against Brighton will take place in front of a small allocation of away fans, rather than 70,000 strong at home.
The Brazilian has developed a cult status at United. Despite a difficult two-season spell that saw fans call for his departure, Casemiro has done enough this season to restore the affection in supporters’ hearts.
He will now depart in a blaze of sunset, knowing he has returned Champions League football to the club where he spent the twilight years of his career.
Read: Manchester United 2-1 Brentford showcased Casemiro Influence Beyond the Pitch
