Cunha confirms he tried to persuade Casemiro to stay at Manchester United

Matheus Cunha has admitted he was among those who lobbied Casemiro to remain at Manchester United, joining supporters in urging the veteran midfielder to extend his stay beyond the expiry of his contract this summer.

Speaking to Spanish outlet AS, Cunha said: “All the Manchester United fans and I did! Casemiro is one of our club’s great players, and he would undoubtedly help us a lot if he stayed here. He was one of the players who welcomed me with open arms when I arrived, and I’m very grateful to him for that. If I could, I’d make him stay with us for another year. I wish him every success in the future.”

Casemiro, 34, spent four years at Old Trafford, with many observers considering his final campaign his most consistent in a United shirt. Fans had already made their feelings clear during matches with chants of “one more year, Casemiro”, but the midfielder ultimately left when his contract expired.

His next destination remains unconfirmed. Inter Miami have been linked, though the move is complicated by an ongoing dispute between the MLS club and LA Galaxy over his discovery rights.

United, meanwhile, are moving quickly to fill the void. A deal has been agreed in principle for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, and West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes is understood to remain a priority target as the club reshapes its engine room.

Cunha, who enjoyed an impressive debut season at Old Trafford, expressed optimism about the club’s direction under manager Michael Carrick. “I think it has been a positive season for the club,” he said. “We have managed to get United back into the Champions League, and we hope to continue on this upward trajectory next season. We have a lot of confidence in our work.”

The Brazilian forward also reflected warmly on his own adaptation to life in Manchester. “From day one I felt comfortable and was very well received by the players, the staff, and the fans. I managed to find the necessary peace of mind to give my best on the pitch, and that allowed me to have an excellent season.”

He signed off with a direct message to supporters: “We’re going to work hard to do justice to the shirt we wear and to the club’s rich history. That’s our promise to the fans. We want next season to be a season of triumphs.”