A dramatic twist has shaken the January transfer window as Nottingham Forest defender Murillo Anderson has reportedly attached a shocking personal condition to his potential move to Manchester United.
Although the 21-year-old centre-back is believed to have agreed to United’s contract proposal, the transfer has stalled for one unexpected reason: he refuses to join the club while Casemiro is still there.
According to multiple insiders, Murillo has privately informed Forest officials and intermediaries that he is fully open to completing the switch to Old Trafford. However, he has been equally adamant that he has no desire to share a dressing room with the Brazilian veteran.
Those close to him claim the young defender has been consistent about this stance, insisting that Casemiro must depart before he can step foot inside United’s training ground.
This revelation has sent shockwaves through Manchester United’s corridors and triggered urgent internal discussions.
Reports suggest that the friction between Murillo and Casemiro did not start recently. Sources in Brazil claim the two players have had a strained relationship for several years.
While Murillo apparently respects Casemiro’s decorated career, he reportedly prefers to keep himself distant from him off the pitch.
Now, that long-standing tension has unexpectedly thrust itself into the heart of a high-profile Premier League transfer, turning what looked like a straightforward deal into a complicated crisis for United.
Manchester United’s leadership now faces a difficult decision. Murillo is widely viewed as one of Europe’s most promising young centre-backs, and the club considers him a key piece in their long-term defensive rebuild.
Casemiro, on the other hand, has struggled this season with form issues and repeated injuries, leading to speculation that he could be sold in the summer.
But Murillo’s refusal to join unless Casemiro leaves means United may have to resolve the matter far sooner than expected.
The fan reaction has been explosive. Many supporters are in disbelief, shocked that a personal dispute could disrupt another major transfer at Old Trafford.
Some fans argue that United should prioritise a rising talent like Murillo, especially given Casemiro’s recent decline.
Others insist it is unacceptable for a young incoming player to dictate the fate of a seasoned professional. Social media is flooded with debates, frustration, and theories about the roots of the rift between the two Brazilians.
United’s valuation of Murillo only heightens the tension. With his age, potential, and Premier League experience, he represents a long-term investment the club does not want to lose.
This has led club officials to quietly consider whether accelerating Casemiro’s exit might be the simplest solution.
Negotiators are currently attempting to find middle ground, but sources say Murillo is standing firm in his position.
The coming days will determine whether the transfer collapses under the weight of his ultimatum or proceeds with major consequences for United’s squad.
Ultimately, Murillo’s message to Manchester United is unmistakable: he is prepared to join immediately, but not while Casemiro remains at the club. The final decision now rests entirely with United’s hierarchy.
