Manchester United will have to reconsider the future of three players who have quickly become integral to Ruben Amorim’s system.
Ruben Amorim is proving his critics wrong at Manchester United with three consecutive Premier League wins lifting the Red Devils into fourth in the table.
United are aiming to return to Europe, and now a quarter of the way through the 2025/26 season, everything suddenly seems to be on track.
Amorim has stubbornly stuck to his 3-4-2-1 system and is making it work at Old Trafford, and the 4-2 win over Brighton was the latest proof that players are fully buying into his philosophy.
The transfer overhaul in the summer has done wonders for squad depth and strength, but alongside United’s brilliant new signings, there are three players successfully fighting for their future at the club.
Ruben Amorim has revived three Man United careers
At the start of the season, there were nine United stars expected to leave in 2026, whether that be because of an expiring contract or because they were set to be sold.
Amorim showed his ruthlessness over the summer by creating a bomb squad of players he no longer wanted around the first team. Another busy transfer window can be expected next year, but three players in particular might have escaped the chopping block.
Harry Maguire’s contract is expiring next summer, but the 32-year-old continues to prove himself as a key player in defence. Maguire scored the winner at Anfield, and now reports suggest a new contract is in the works.
Alongside him in defence, Luke Shaw has become Amorim’s first-choice option as the left-sided centre-back. When Lisandro Martinez returns from injury, the World Cup winner has his work cut out for him trying to fight for a starting spot.
Many expected Shaw might be offloaded in 2026, but he has returned to form under Amorim and is once again a key player in this squad.
Finally, Casemiro has been linked with a United exit, and his contract is up next summer. The 33-year-old’s days were expected to be numbered, but he has come out fighting this season.
United only playing once a week has suited the Brazilian to a tee, and Amorim has relied on Casemiro’s experience and expertise as a partner to Bruno Fernandes in midfield. A long-term replacement should be signed, but Casemiro might have done enough to earn himself a one-year extension at Old Trafford.
Casemiro and Harry Maguire replacements still needed
Even if both Maguire and Casemiro are earning themselves an extended stay at Old Trafford, Ineos must be scouring the market for long-term replacements.
Both players are in the twilight years of their careers, and United must be planning ahead for their exits, even if they are pushed back to 2027.
United might already have a Maguire replacement in mind, and it is up to Ineos and Amorim to make sure the squad is ready to deal with experienced players leaving.
Ineos were scouring the market for midfield reinforcements this summer but decided to wait until 2026.
A long-term Casemiro replacement must be the top priority in 2026 even if the five-time Champions League winner stays put at Old Trafford.
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