Manchester United saw plenty of players depart the club on transfer deadline day, but several others will know this could be their final season at Old Trafford.
Being one of the biggest clubs in the world, it is a privilege to play for Manchester United, meaning players who don’t perform are often sent packing.
This has been the case over the summer transfer window, with Ruben Amorim’s five-man ‘bomb squad’ being told to leave, with all securing exits.
Next summer will be no different, with several players likely in their final year of the season for a variety of reasons, ranging from age concerns, underperformance, or simply just being the right time to cut ties.
So here are nine we can’t see still being on the books at Old Trafford come September 2026.
Casemiro claps the fans after the Premier League match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage in 2025 in London, England.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Released
Casemiro: First up, this absolutely must be the final season we see Casemiro at Old Trafford, despite his almost cult hero status at the club.
Casemiro earns a base fee of £350,000-a-week, which is insane and not in Ineos’ new wage structure plans, which explains why there has been a desire to ship him out.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe isn’t a fan of the Casemiro deal, but he has been impossible to sell due to his reluctance to leave such a well-paid job.
More United News
But come June, there will be a farewell to the Brazilian.
Tom Heaton: In goal, United are likely to completely revamp the options over the next year or so, and that should include an end to Heaton’s playing career.
While as the third-choice goalkeeper, his leadership is key, but Heaton earns £45,000-a-week at the age of 40 next summer, which means it is time to give this role to a youngster.
Heaton could always take up a coaching role of some kind at the club, but his playing career is likely in its final year.
Harry Maguire: Similar to Heaton, next summer should be when United move on from Maguire, or at least sees his wages drastically decreased.
United extended Maguire’s contract last season, but at 32 years old and earning £190,000-a-week, his role in the team won’t warrant that amount going forward.
Matthijs de Ligt has already emerged as the starting central centre-back this season, and so it could very well be Maguire’s swansong at Old Trafford.
Tyrell Malacia: The sole member of the bomb squad not to leave this summer is Malacia, and he now faces a season without playing.
Malacia saw his move to Elche collapse, but has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and Turkey could also emerge as a possible destination.
Malacia will be at United beyond the English deadline, but could yet exit.
Sold
Andre Onana: On the sales side, Onana is one player who is surely in his last season with United, assuming he doesn’t make a move to Turkey before September 13th.
Andre Onana stands in goal with his hands on his hips
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Onana looks likely to be the third choice for United going forward, which showcases how much of a disaster his career at Old Trafford has been.
Onana blew his chance to earn the role, and now, he will be left in the cold and surely set to depart this summer.
Altay Bayindir: Similar to Onana, Bayindir has been a disaster this season to date, which should mean Lammens arrives and takes the starting role from him.
United have Radek Vitek to return next summer, which should give enough cover to justify the double shipping out of the current one and two.
Bayindir may also end up heading back to Turkey in September, with the deadline day remaining open until the 13th, but no matter what, United likely start next season without him.
Luke Shaw: This season has seen Shaw in great form for United; however, regardless of his 2025/26 season, it should see the end for the 12 year Old Trafford veteran.
Shaw has proven over the years that he can go on runs of fitness, usually during the season of an England tournament, but then spends the following year injured.
United need to be looking to ship Shaw out, getting his massive wages off the books, with a new defender likely to be on the agenda next summer.
Manuel Ugarte: In midfield, next summer already looks to see Carlos Baleba as the priority target, which will mean an overhaul is needed to accommodate him.
Similar to the attack this season, the midfield could undergo open-heart surgery, and Ugarte should be a casualty.
Ugarte has struggled in English football, and increasingly, it looks like he has lost the faith of Amorim, particularly after being hooked at half-time against Grimsby. It could be a long campaign for the Uruguayan.
Bruno Fernandes: The final player we expect to be in his final year with United, unfortunately, is Fernandes.
Despite being the club captain, Fernandes is thought to have told Saudi Arabian suitors that he wanted to stay at United until after the 2026 World Cup.
Fernandes could be sold for a huge fee next summer and may be the trigger that leads to a Kobbie Mainoo next to Baleba midfield.