Casemiro wants to play more at Manchester United and insists he wouldn’t be satisfied picking up his £375,000-a-week wages sat on the bench.
The Brazil star was in United’s starting line-up against Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday night for only the 19th time in 43 games this season.
The 33-year-old would be happy to see out his contract at Old Trafford under head coach Ruben amorimwhich still has 16 months to run with the option of another year, but not in a bit-part role.
‘If a player is on the bench and is happy, that player is not worth anything for any team,’ said Casemiro. ‘Of course I want to play. I want to have more minutes, but the coach is the one who makes the decisions, and I have a lot of respect for him and for the club.
‘I always say, and these are my values, I respect the coach a lot and I respect the club. Every day I go to Carrington or Old Trafford, I try to do my best. That’s my biggest quality.’
Casemiro’s future will come under scrutiny again in the summer as United look to cut their wage bill and freshen up the squad.
Casemiro (red jacket) insists he is not content with playing a bench role for Man United
The 33-year-old would be happy to see out his contract but not in a bit-part role
‘It’s too soon to talk about next season, but of course I have another year of contract and then an option,’ said the midfielder who may start again in Sunday’s game against Arsenal at Old Trafford with Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo among the 11 United players set to be ruled out through injury and suspension.
‘We have important games, and on Sunday we have Arsenal. I’m here, I’m available, with total happiness, and I’m ready for the coach and the club. As everyone knows, I’m a big character for the club.’
Amorim has warned that his battle-weary team will have to ‘survive’ against Arsenal, although he revealed that Amad Diallo could play again this season after ankle surgery.
‘Amad we will see in the last month,’ said the United boss. ‘I hope to have Amad before the end of the season.’
Meanwhile Amorim has doubled down on an assertion that he won’t have as long as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to turn his club around.
‘I think it’s a different club,’ he added. ‘I will not have the time like Arteta had.’
