Casemiro is making it hard to make his summer departure a formality after his derby masterclass, but his contract is not even the trickiest call.
There were many heroes in Man Utd’s 2-0 victory over Man City, as is the case in a performance as utterly dominant as the one Michael Carrick masterminded.
Casemiro missed some clear chances, but his defensive work was elite as he continues to make a mockery of suggestions that he’s done at the top level of football.
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That represents a dilemma for Man Utd, but the same game also showed that the dilemma now extends to two of his teammates as well.
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Casemiro headlines three decisions coming up for Man Utd
Ineos have been big on cost-cutting and bringing the wage bill down relative to the quality and achievements of the squad.
It’s why Casemiro’s summer departure, regardless of his resurgence, was thought of as a foregone conclusion.
There was no scenario in which it made sense to pay a 34-year-old midfielder £350k/week for another season, especially with targets lined up.
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To Casemiro’s credit, he never let that narrative get to him, continuing to put in sterling performances to reach a point where extending his stay is being discussed as a genuine possibility.
A paycut might have to be taken for that to happen, but at least there’s some clarity on the matter. The same can’t be said for Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire.
The curious case of Bruno Fernandes
When Bruno Fernandes rejected Saudi Arabia’s approach last summer, he was portrayed as an example of the kind of player United need more of.
Despite playing in a difficult position under Ruben Amorim, Fernandes bossed the games and stood out as a leading light in a dour season.
However, it was impossible to shake off the feeling that Fernandes had just delayed his departure, not canceled it, especially after his brutal comments about Ineos.
Even a section of Man Utd fans had made peace with the fact that he had given his best years to the club, and cashing in at his age was the right thing for everyone involved.
Bruno Fernandes cut City apart – now he needs to do it against Arsenal next weekend!
He was extremely unlucky to have a goal ruled out of his own
Fernandes
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The Manchester Derby was a reminder of how crucial he remains to United when he’s used well. The interest in Fernandes won’t die down next summer. The question is – is he even replaceable?
Harry Maguire, model professional
Joining Casemiro and Fernandes on the “bound to leave” foregone conclusions list was Harry Maguire, whose contract expires next summer.
Maguire has been United’s renaissance man, and he’s staging another one just as people wrote him off as he got injured in his final season.
Financially, it doesn’t make sense to keep paying £200k/week to a centre-back who turns 33 this year, but Maguire is becoming more than just a capable player.
Sure, he’s more than capable, as his derby masterclass showed, but he’s also the sort of character United need in the dressing room.
Should United keep Maguire? Maybe not at £200k/week, but he’s made it so that United should definitely open talks to gauge what he would like and how they can bridge the gap.
The next six months for these three players are no longer a final hurrah.
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