Casemiro "so happy" at Manchester United amid transfer speculation

The 31-year-old forged an effective midfield partnership with Christian Eriksen during his debut season at Old Trafford, which ended with a third-placed Premier League finish and EFL Cup triumph.

Casemiro also popped up with seven goals and six assists for Erik ten Hag's team in the 2022-23 campaign, but the former Real Madrid man has had a second season to forget in Manchester so far.

A severe ankle injury has limited Casemiro to just 12 appearances in the 2023-24 season, during which he has managed four goals and one assist, and his last Premier League appearance came in the first weekend of October.

The Brazil international was back on the bench against Tottenham Hotspur on January 14, though, and he is expected to be involved in Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round clash with Newport County, but his long-term future at Old Trafford remains foggy.

In December, it was alleged that new stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe questioned the club's decision to spend £60m on the midfielder, who will likely be allowed to leave under the new INEOS regime.

Casemiro's former Real Madrid and Man United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo is supposedly pushing to bring the 31-year-old to Al-Nassr, and it has been suggested that the Red Devils could offer him a £20m payoff to leave in the summer.

However, Casemiro's contract runs until 2026 with the option of a further 12 months, and speaking to MBC - via The Mirror - the South American has vowed to help Man United get back on track in the second half of the season and beyond.

"It's all amazing, since the first day, I was made to feel very welcome by the club, the players and the fans," the 31-year-old said. "I received so much love - on and off the pitch.

"It was a unique and magical experience, and I needed such an experience. I am so happy in Manchester with everything the city and the club offer me. I am happy with that and with helping the club improve and get back to the path of achievements. So yeah, I'm happy to play for Manchester United."

Casemiro won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid before swapping Los Blancos for the Red Devils, with whom he boasts 11 goals and seven assists from 63 matches in all competitions.

With only five days to go until the January transfer window closes for business, Casemiro is seemingly set to stay put at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils have done away with some other unwanted midfielders.

Donny van de Beek was the first out of the door, joining Eintracht Frankfurt on loan for the remainder of the season, and the 26-year-old has started each of Die Adler's last three Bundesliga matches, although he was hooked at half time in Friday's 1-0 win over Mainz.

Meanwhile, Hannibal Mejbri will spend the next few months with La Liga strugglers Sevilla, but Palanganas head coach Quique Sanchez Flores recently revealed that the Tunisia international is not being considered for selection, claiming that he needs "space" to understand the demands being placed on him.

Jadon Sancho has made a fast start back to life at Borussia Dortmund, though, setting up two goals in his first two games back in the Bundesliga.