'Present and future': Casemiro makes huge claim about 20yo Man Utd star

Manchester United star Casemiro will be leaving the club after his contract expires at the end of June.

The Red Devils had an option to extend his stay for another 12 months but opted against triggering the clause.

Casemiro has enjoyed a sensational 2025-26 season and has now formed a solid partnership with Kobbie Mainoo under interim head coach Michael Carrick.

The veteran midfielder spoke glowingly about Mainoo.

He told ManUtd.com: “Kobbie (Mainoo) is the present and the future of the club. I think that he is one of the best number eights and can be that for the next 12 years.

“He is a player I really like. He always wants the ball. He is a great player. He ahas already shown that in the Euro final with England.”

Mainoo was brutally overlooked by former manager Ruben Amorim. He was tasked to do the impossible by replacing club captain Bruno Fernandes in the starting XI.

Despite the setbacks, the young midfielder showed remarkable maturity, keeping his head down and continuing to impress in training.

Things can change very quickly in football. Carrick has started Mainoo in all of his 10 games.

While he has delivered solid performances, there are still clear areas where he can elevate his game.

The 20-year-old is fortunate to learn from elite mentors like Casemiro and Fernandes.

The onus is on Mainoo to stay grounded and focus on his development. To reach the next level, he must take greater risks in possession and sharpen his creative instincts.

Equally important is his need to deepen his tactical understanding of the game.

There is little doubt that Mainoo possesses generational talent, and with the right guidance, he could develop into one of the finest midfielders of his era.

Casemiro also revealed that his favourite assist at United is the one he gave to Matheus Cunha against Brighton & Hove Albion.

He said: “I like the one I did this year for Cunha. He is a player that I have a lot of affection for and he wanted to open his scoring account.

“I was the first one to assist him here and I am sure he will always remember it.”

The midfielder displayed exceptional vision in playing a pass to Cunha, who curled a sublime strike into the top corner.

This goal set the ball rolling for the 26-year-old in his debut campaign at Old Trafford.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .