Gareth Barry thinks Manchester United will come to regret their decision to let Casemiro leave on a free transfer at the tip of the season.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Brazil\u00a0international announced earlier this season that he’ll leave Old Trafford when his contract expires\u00a0at the tip of the present campaign.<\/p>\n
Signed from\u00a0Real Madrid\u00a0for \u00a360million in 2023, Casemiro\u2019s form has fluctuated throughout his time in Manchester, however the 34-year-old has been certainly one of the club\u2019s most consistent performers this season.<\/p>\n
His current deal does have the choice to increase by an extra 12 months, but there look like no plans for the club to U-turn on their previous decision.<\/p>\n
And former Premier League winner Barry believes that could possibly be a mistake from the Red Devils, insisting that replacing Casemiro\u2019s ability in each boxes will prove a difficult task.<\/p>\n
\u2018I feel they may grow to regret that,\u2019 Barry told Metro <\/strong>via BetMGM. \u2018Speaking from experience, I feel as you become old and also you get more mature, football does grow to be easier.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018I get why Casemiro goes to lose certain strengths and certain abilities he used to have. But I feel his numbers, like defending in each boxes, the goals he gets, there aren\u2019t many midfielders can try this. <\/p>\n \u2018So I feel even giving him a one-year extension or something like that, they\u2019ve probably missed the trick.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018Whether that would occur, I don\u2019t know. But, definitely, seeing him play recently, he\u2019s still got the power to affect games. So, he\u2019s going to be tough to switch.\u2019<\/p>\n Speaking last month on international duty, Casemiro said: \u2018I’m still having fun with it so much (in Manchester).<\/p>\n \u2018I imagine the announcement is now done. It is big, the love that the fans have shown towards me.<\/p>\n \u2018But I do really imagine the choice is made and done. I’m having fun with myself without delay. I imagine it would be some difficult (emotional) moments, these (final) games at Manchester United.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n United had reportedly earmarked Elliot Anderson as a possible substitute for Casemiro, but it surely is alleged that rivals Manchester City are in pole position to sign the Nottingham Forest midfielder.<\/p>\n Anderson could possibly be tasked with filling the boots of Rodri as speculation swirls over his long-term future at City, but Barry can understand why his former club imagine that the Englishman could prove an acceptable substitute for the Ballon d\u2019Or winner.<\/p>\n \u2018If Rodri is seeking to get out, I feel it\u2019s going to be an actual, real tough one to switch. He has been one of the best holding midfielder on this planet for a very long time.<\/p>\n \u2018But I get it with Elliot Anderson and the links with City. His strengths for me are off the ball. There aren\u2019t many higher varieties of players off the ball than Elliot Anderson.<\/p>\n \u2018So, I get why they\u2019ll be taking a look at him and if that\u2019s the type of deal they\u2019re taking a look at and Rodri goes to go, I can see why they wish to get that done as quickly as possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018He\u2019s had one other great season, consistently performing well, and he\u2019s been good for England too. Tough to switch Rodri, but Elliot Anderson, why can\u2019t he grow into those shoes?\u2019<\/p>\n For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Follow Metro Sport for the most recent news on ![\"FBL-ENG-PR-MAN](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2266200235.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=594\")
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