According to reports from the Daily Mail, outgoing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, has described Kobbie Mainoo as the club’s “present and future,” insisted that Michael Carrick “deserves to stay,” and named backup goalkeeper Tom Heaton as the most influential figure in the dressing room.
Under new head coach Ruben Amorim, Mainoo saw his playing time limited as he competed directly with captain Bruno Fernandes for a spot. He was at one point close to leaving the club. However, since Michael Carrick took over, the 21-year-old has rediscovered his form and signed a new contract until 2031, with a significant pay rise, reaffirming his crucial role at United.
“Mainoo is an incredible player. But he needs to train, train, train. He needs to have that urgency—I’m on the pitch, but I might not be. I need to push him in training. Because this guy is the present and future of the club,” Casemiro said on the “Rio Ferdinand Presents” show.
“He’s an incredible player. He’s an eight, not a five. In Europe, he plays as a six. He’s amazing. He loves the ball, he wants to control it, he needs it. He never gives it away easily. He’s strong, technically gifted. But he has to give 100% in every match, every time.”
“He needs consistency. But for me, he is the present and future of this club. This guy is an unbelievable player.”
Casemiro will leave Old Trafford this summer after four years, meaning he will not play under the club’s next permanent manager.
Carrick was appointed as Amorim’s interim replacement until the end of the season and has overseen a remarkable turnaround, guiding United back into the Champions League. He is a strong candidate for the permanent role, but the club is understood to be weighing up several other options.
“That’s a big question,” Casemiro said. “Because he deserves to stay.”
“The team is playing very well, he’s winning every game. The team is getting better day by day, match by match. So for me, it’s a difficult one because in my opinion he deserves this opportunity. Especially for me, he communicates as a midfielder, man-to-man, and it’s easier. He deserves it because the team is very comfortable now, playing well, winning big games. So he deserves to stay.”
“He has played at this level. He understands how players feel. Ancelotti is a great coach because he understands—he played. He knows what players need to hear. He pushes, but he knows when to push. Carrick understands too. So he deserves it. In my opinion, he absolutely should stay.”
“He is very intelligent. But for me, the most valuable thing is that he understands this club. He understands Manchester United.”
United will enter the transfer market this summer to find a replacement for Casemiro, though sources suggest they are satisfied with the squad being built after heavy spending last year.
Casemiro also added that United face a “difficult question” over Carrick—his performances justify his retention.
When asked who is the most influential figure in the United dressing room, after mentioning Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro gave a surprising answer—goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
“He pushes everyone in training,” Casemiro added. “First of all, he pushes in training, every time.”
“Of course, he doesn’t play much, but he always motivates everyone. He shares his experience, he speaks excellent English, and he explains things very clearly. For me, every dressing room needs a Heaton. Every dressing room needs that kind of guy because he brings so much to the team.”
