Casemiro exit blamed on 'media ridicule' as Man United struggle to replace 'one of their best'

Casemiro's early decision to leave Manchester United was fuelled by the huge focus on his form in the English media.

That is the opinion of experienced former Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 34-year-old announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of his contract, after four years at Old Trafford.

But almost immediately after the announcement, Casemiro began to hit a level of form better than any other point in his time at Man United.

The Brazil international would score five Premier League goals to round off the season but despite clamour for an extra year on his contract, the exit decision was final.

Man United have struggled to replace Casemiro so far this summer, with the additions of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos likely to be joined by a more defensive option.

Bryan King slams the English media

Casemiro's form was enough to earn him a place in Brazil's World Cup squad, and he would start every one of their five games.

Despite a sluggish start, the 34-year-old seemed to hit his stride, even scoring against Japan as Carlo Ancelotti's side came from behind to win 2-1.

There was little he could do to stop Erling Haaland and Norway as Brazil were knocked out in the round of 16, however.

While that likely served as the end of his international career, Casemiro is still not done at club level.

The five-time Champions League winner is reportedly set to join Inter Miami this summer, but the question remains over whether he could have remained at Man United for one final year.

"At the start of last season, everybody was saying Casemiro was a joke. But at the end of it, he was probably one of their best players," King told Football Insider.

"You can't call a player of what he's done a joke. And that was the English press. I mean, he was being ridiculed in the English press after the first four months of the season.

"'Too old, can't run. Why is he being played? Why is he in this? Why is he in that?'  I mean, he finished up probably one of their top three players. So to be in a position in July and you haven't got replacement in, poor recruitment."

How Casemiro could have stayed another year

Confirmation of Casemiro's exit came just nine days after the appointment of Michael Carrick as interim manager.

Little would anyone know that the 34-year-old would thrive under his new manager, becoming one of the Premier League's form players.

According to The Sun, Casemiro privately believes that, if Carrick had been appointed earlier, he would have stayed on for one more year.

But perhaps this was the right way to go for the legendary midfielder, who will has left Old Trafford on a high.