Manchester United head into January with a decision looming over four players whose contracts are approaching an end.
Premier League players whose deals expire in the summer of 2026 can agree pre-contracts with a European club in the New Year.
Numerous notable players find their futures uncertain beyond the campaign, including the likes of Marc Guehi and Marco Senesi.
United boss Ruben Amorim is continuing the transformation of his squad, and that means deciding on four of his players, with two in particular posing question marks.
Manchester United players who could leave for free
Harry Maguire
The central defender will approach seven years at Manchester United when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The club activated the one-year option last summer, but he’s been in and out of Amorim’s team selection this campaign. Maguire has also missed the last six matches with a thigh injury.
During a period of uncertainty at Old Trafford over the years, including player fallouts, Maguire was one of the few who could come out with plenty of credit.
He’s delivered big moments – the winner at Anfield this season, and his last-gasp goal against Ajax in the Europa League semi-final are two examples.
Maguire turns 33 in March, and Amorim’s decision will come down to whether he wants to focus on trimming the average age of his squad going forward.
There’s little doubt he could still make a significant contribution, particularly as a leader in the dressing room, and an extra one-year deal seems a no-brainer.
Maguire may see his own future elsewhere, especially if he wants a longer deal, but this will likely rumble on throughout the season.
Casemiro
The Brazilian has been a rare United transfer success story ever since his £70million transfer in 2022.
Amorim still leans heavily on the midfielder’s experience, having made 14 Premier League starts this campaign.
While he may have lost a yard of pace, his quality on the pitch has still come to the fore, and his return of four goals proves he’s an unlikely threat in the opposition box.
United have a one-year option in his contract, but as one of the club’s highest earners, the opportunity to significantly reduce the wage bill and invest elsewhere will prove tempting.
It’s no secret the club are short of options in midfield, and it’s an area that will require heavy investment going forward.
Bournemouth’s Alex Scott remains one option they would like to pursue.
Casemiro will likely have options in America and Saudi Arabia when he decides to move on, but it’s a decision the club will need to make sooner rather than later.
Tom Heaton and Tyrell Malacia
Heaton, United’s third-choice goalkeeper, is likely to leave the club having made three appearances for the club since signing in 2021.
Left-back Malacia is another whose exit will feel overdue.
Part of Amorim’s ‘bomb squad’ last season, Malacia remained at Old Trafford but has failed to force his way into the side.
The Portuguese boss did offer him a glimmer of hope when he reintegrated him into the first team squad for a game against Brighton in October.
He’s been on the bench in the last six matches but is still waiting for his first league minutes of the campaign.
