Manchester United midfielder Casemiro could remain at Old Trafford beyond the summer of 2026 if he meets a specific appearance condition written into his current contract.
The Brazil international is understood to have an automatic one-year extension clause that would take his deal to June 2027, provided he reaches a defined number of starts during the 2025–26 season.
The clause is believed to be triggered if Casemiro starts 35 matches across all competitions this term. As revealed by the Athletic, should he reach that figure, the extra year would be activated automatically, with no need for fresh negotiations between the club and the player. The rollover would also preserve his existing terms, meaning his current salary would continue into the 2026–27 campaign.
At the time of reporting, the 33-year-old is confirmed to have already made 18 starts in all competitions for United this season. That leaves him requiring a start in every remaining first-team fixture to hit the 35-start mark. With the club already eliminated from both the FA Cup and the League Cup, the maximum number of matches available for the rest of the campaign is estimated to be around 40.
As a result, any missed match, whether through rotation, injury, suspension or tactical decisions, would affect his chances of reaching the target.
Casemiro joined Manchester United from Real Madrid in August 2022 on a contract running until the summer of 2026, with an option for an additional year. While there has been uncertainty around his long-term future amid discussions about squad planning and financial management, the appearance-based clause offers a defined route for him to remain at the club beyond the original end date of his deal.
The midfielder has been a key player for the Red Devils since arriving in England, bringing with him a decorated career that includes multiple Champions League titles with Real Madrid.
If the threshold is met, the extension would be triggered automatically, meaning United would carry Casemiro into the 2026–27 season without entering new talks.
