Announcing back in January that he will be leaving Old Trafford at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, Manchester United have a Casemiro replacement at the top of their summer wishlist.
While the Brazilian international might have continued to shine since Michael Carrick’s shock Old Trafford return, the United hierarchy have no interest in considering a potential U-turn on their decision.
Arriving from Real Madrid back in the summer of 2022 following a reported £70million deal, Casemiro scored the winning goal in the 2023 Carabao Cup final victory against Newcastle and leaves Manchester as a cult hero.
However, getting his reported £350,000-per-week salary off their wage bill, it has been suggested that Carrick’s side are planning a real overhaul this summer.
Alongside Casemiro’s imminent departure, it appears that a pair of United’s first-team stars will be following the 33-year-old out of Old Trafford this summer.
Joshua Zirkzee
Watching Manchester United complete a huge attacking overhaul last summer following the arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, it appeared that the writing was on the wall of Joshua Zirkzee.
However, although the Dutch international might have eventually stated put at Old Trafford over the past seven months, all parties have accepted that a move away from the red half of Manchester is best.
Left as an unused substitute for each of United’s final two Premier League appearances prior to March’s international break, Zirkzee has drastically failed to find his feet since arriving at Old Trafford.
Completing a permanent switch from Italian outfit Bologna back in the summer of 2024 for a reported fee of £36.5million, Zirkzee has only registered five Premier League goals in his 50 top-flight appearances.
Quickly becoming a forgotten figure at Old Trafford and once again failing to establish himself under Carrick, the 24-year-old should be desperately searching for a Manchester exit over the next couple of months.
Only making 32 minuets of Premier League action since January 11th, it has been suggested that an almost immediate return to Serie A is the most likely destination for Zirkzee this summer.
🚨 BREAKING:
Joshua Zirkzee wants to leave Manchester United in the summer!
Several Premier League clubs are interested as well as Italian teams.
[@FabrizioRomano YT] pic.twitter.com/eNlw6gKZYl
— UtdXclusive (@UtdXclusive) March 20, 2026
Manuel Ugarte
While Casemiro might have officially announced back in January that he will be ending his four-year spell at Old Trafford, the former Real Madrid ace is not the only midfield superstar who will be leaving Manchester this summer.
Arriving from PSG for a reported fee in the region of £50million just two years ago, Manuel Ugarte has endured a nightmare spell with the Premier League giants and has drastically failed to live up to expectations.
With academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo expected to sign a new long-term deal, it is almost impossible to see where Ugarte fits in at Old Trafford and it is no surprise why the United hierarchy are desperate to cut their losses this summer.
Only making seven Premier League starts this season and firmly on the outside looking in, the former PSG star has reportedly been informed that United are open to offers this summer.
With United making it abundantly clear that they are searching for a superstar Casemiro replacement when the window reopens, Ugarte is clearly no part of Carrick’s midfield plans.
Reportedly keen on securing a permanent move away from Old Trafford this summer, it has also been suggested that Ugarte could fall Zirkzee over to Italy this summer.
🚨 Manuel Ugarte is one to watch this summer, in relation to outgoings. There is some movement with clubs, with several Italian teams interested. [@FabrizioRomano, YT] #mufc pic.twitter.com/EkJZena4zr
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) March 2, 2026