Casemiro scuppers Man Utd transfer plan as midfielder reveals he wants to STAY at Old Trafford amid Saudi rumours

Manchester United's signing of Casemiro has not worked out as they had hoped when they roped in the uber-successful defensive midfielder from Real Madrid in 2022. Despite a strong start to life at Old Trafford, the Brazilian's age seems to have caught up with him and he has struggled for form over the last season and a half. As such, rumours of a potential exit had been rampant despite his contract holding him to the club until 2026.

In January of this year, Casemiro had been linked with a number of clubs including Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr, Besiktas and a late departure to Flamengo. However, all the avenues dried up and the Brazilian was expected to end the season with Ruben Amorim's struggling United and potentially departing in the summer. The 32-year-old, though, has now revealed that he plans on staying with the 20-time Premier League champions until the end of his contract as he is keen on helping the side climb out of the rut they currently find themselves in.

In an interview with AS, Casemiro was asked what he has to do to get into Amorim's starting eleven. The Brazilian answered: "I have to keep doing what I'm doing, with a lot of respect and education. Of course, I'd like to play more. I don't know any player who doesn't want to play and help."

He added: "Also, I'd like to help the club at this time. I approach things with respect for my teammates and the technical committee. And above all, I respect United, a club to which I'm very grateful. I have a year and a half left on my contract and I'd like to fulfil it here in Manchester. I'm comfortable here and so is my family. They've adapted, we speak English. I'm very grateful to the Old Trafford fans and to the club. I'm happy at club level. Happy in the dugout? Of course not. That's another thing."

The Real Madrid legend started in Manchester United's 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, however, the start came largely due to Amorim travelling to London without 12 first-team players due to injuries and illness. It is possible that, if United do not receive any players back before their clash with Everton on Saturday, February 22, Casemiro will get his second straight start. This could only be the second time Casemiro has started two consecutive Premier League games under Amorim since the Portuguese coach's first two clashes in charge of the Red Devils.