Manchester United considering extending contract of £350,000 per-week flop despite interest from Saudi Arabia

Manchester United's Harry Maguire. (REUTERS/Isabel Infantes)

The pressure is piling up at Old Trafford.

Life under Rúben Amorim has so far been nothing short of disastrous, with the Portuguese boss boasting the worst win percentage of any permanent Manchester United manager this century – leading to calls from club legend for him to be replaced.

After barely escaping the drop last term, this season, the club sits 10th in the Premier League after seven matches, already facing an uphill battle to secure European football next year. A string of underperforming stars, a leaky defence, and an inconsistent attack have defined their campaign so far.

With finances stretched — not least because of plans for a new stadium — smart, sustainable recruitment is seen as essential.

But despite this, United are reportedly weighing up the prospect of keeping one of their highest earners on the books for even longer.

According to a new report from ESPN, United have not ruled out extending the contract of Casemiro beyond the end of the season.

The 33-year-old is currently tied to the club until June 2026, but United hold an option to extend that deal by another year. Triggering the clause would keep him at Old Trafford until 2027 — and crucially, would also mean continuing to pay him his £350,000-per-week salary.

While Casemiro has faced widespread criticism for his performances since arriving from Real Madrid in 2022, there has been a slight uptick in form under Amorim. Even so, insiders suggest that if he wants to stay, he’ll need to accept a significant pay cut.

The Brazilian has settled in Manchester with his family, but interest is said to be growing from clubs in his homeland and from sides in the Saudi Pro League. From January, he’ll be free to hold talks with foreign clubs about a summer move.

For a club battling both on and off the pitch, committing to an aging, high-earning midfielder could prove a costly decision.

Though there’s still a chance Casemiro could remain at Old Trafford, many see it as a move that would undermine the club’s push for a leaner, more sustainable future.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.