Casemiro and Harry Maguire are two of Manchester United's most experienced players, but the Red Devils appear to have a plan around the pair of them
Kieran King Senior Sports Writer and Patrick Austen-Hardy Senior Sports Journalist
13:31, 17 Mar 2026Updated 13:32, 17 Mar 2026
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Harry Maguire of Manchester United speaks to team mate Casemiro during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Casemiro is set to leave Manchester United while Harry Maguire's future is uncertain(Image: Alex Pantling, Getty Images)
Manchester United bosses have concluded they must 'recruit two midfielders' following Casemiro's looming departure this summer. It's also understood they have formulated a backup strategy should Harry Maguire also depart.
United, who intend to bolster their squad again in the summer, have blueprints to complete four significant acquisitions, it has been reported. Casemiro, 34, confirmed in January he will depart United when his deal concludes at the season's end, which would leave United with only Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo as their only midfield options.
United are anticipated to respond with 'club officials in consensus' the Red Devils require two new signings in that department. They have been tracking Premier League midfielders with Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali amongst those identified.
Casemiro celebrating on the football pitch for Manchester United
View 3 Images
Casemiro is set to leave at the end of the season(Image: Getty Images)
The Italian is on their radar, according to the Sun, while Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, Brighton's Carlos Baleba and Bournemouth's Alex Scott are also believed to be of interest. Wharton is eager to join a Champions League side and United sit third in the standings, six points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea in the battle for a berth in Europe's premier tournament. Manchester City, meanwhile, are the present favourites to secure Anderson, and it's believed that United might struggle to rival the wages that their cross-city rivals are prepared to present him.
United pursued Cameroon international Baleba last summer, though he has suffered a disappointing campaign in a Brighton jersey and was absent from the squad as they secured a 1-0 victory at Sunderland on Saturday. Scott has delivered outstanding performances for Bournemouth this season, with reports suggesting Tottenham and Manchester City are equally interested in the 22-year-old England international.
Casemiro might prove difficult to substitute given the Brazilian's brilliant displays at the core of United's midfield currently, netting his seventh strike of the campaign in Sunday's 3-1 triumph over Aston Villa. United supporters chanted, 'One more year, one more year Casemiro,' following the five-time Champions League victor's opening goal for the Reds, prompting him to grasp and clutch the club's crest.
JOIN US ON FB!Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Yet despite that appeal from the Reds faithful, interim head coach Michael Carrick virtually ruled out the prospect of Casemiro penning fresh terms and staying at United past his existing agreement's conclusion. Carrick commented: "The fact that it was decided makes things a little bit easier and everyone understands the situation, really.
"The impact he has had has been terrific, certainly, since I've been here and working with him. And he's influence within the team and big moments and goals. Players come and go. Some are bigger, some are maybe more important than others at different times. But I don't think it's ever really about replacing like for like. I think you can go in different directions.
"You understand what the balance of the squad will need, whether that's on the pitch, off the pitch, leadership, positionally. There's all sorts of different things going into it. Case has done some really, really good things, and certainly since I've been here, he's been an absolute pleasure to work with."
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 4: Harry Maguire of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James' Park on March 4, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Harry Maguire's contract expires at the end of the season(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA, Getty Images)
Besides seeking to bolster the midfield, United are examining the centre-half market should the club be unable to secure a contract extension for Maguire. The 33-year-old England star is entering the final three months of his deal but has been a constant presence since Carrick's appointment in mid-January - and the club are reportedly keen for him to remain.
A renewal is under discussion, but Maguire will probably need to accept a reduction on his £180,000-a-week salary. Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt have been hit by injuries throughout the campaign, leaving Maguire to step in and plug the gap across the last nine fixtures following Carrick's arrival. Maguire has excelled, with the former Leicester defender set to secure an England squad return for the first time in 18 months this month. United are also targeting a new left-sided winger in the summer transfer window.
Patrick Dorgu had been flourishing in a more attacking position until sustaining a long-term injury during the 3-2 victory over Arsenal in January, whilst Matheus Cunha has featured in the last seven fixtures on the left wing. Dorgu is regarded as a natural left-back, but United may now perceive him as a winger, which could prompt them to enter the market for a left-sided defender alternatively, with Luke Shaw's deal expiring next summer.
Article continues below
A reserve goalkeeper is also on United's wishlist, with Senne Lammens establishing himself as the club's No. 1, whilst Altay Bayindir has served as the No. 2 in recent months, and Andre Onana has spent the campaign on loan at Trabzonspor.
Watch the Champions League on TNT Sports
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
£30.99
TNT Sports
Get TNT Sports here
The UEFA Champions League is back on TNT Sports and fans can catch all the action on the TNT Sports Prime Video channel. A monthly subscription also includes select Premier League and FA Cup fixtures.