Manchester United will abandon the recruitment model that saw them invest £140 million in Casemiro as the club prepares for a significant midfield overhaul under INEOS leadership. According to Gary Neville, speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, the 34-year-old Brazilian midfielder is set to leave Old Trafford this summer following the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign, with United opting not to trigger a one-year contract extension. The departure marks the end of a four-year cycle for the former Real Madrid man, who arrived for an initial £60 million fee in 2022 and earned £20 million annually in wages.
The end of the veteran recruitment model
Neville characterised the original 2022 deal as a "panic" move following United's 4-0 defeat to Brentford, noting that the club overpaid on both the transfer fee and the salary. Under the oversight of INEOS, the club has already begun pivoting toward younger profiles, such as striker Benjamin Sesko and goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Neville insists this shift is permanent, stating that the current leadership will not sanction similar deals for ageing stars.
Casemiro was signed in a panic after the Brentford defeat away from home. They overpaid and they overpaid on salary. Manchester United today in their current format and leadership won’t go and do another deal like that.With Casemiro departing as a free agent, United are effectively seeing the entirety of their £140 million total investment amortised to zero on the balance sheet.
Rebuilding the United engine room
The vacuum left by Casemiro, and the reported potential departure of Manuel Ugarte, leaves 21-year-old Kobie Mainoo as the squad's primary central pillar. Neville identified Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, 23, as a potential target who fits the new profile of Premier League-proven, high-energy players. While interim manager Michael Carrick secured Champions League qualification, the tactical demand for a defensive presence remains high. Neville noted that while United need a "25 to 26-year-old version of Casemiro," finding such a profile in the current market frequently requires a £100 million commitment. The club's recent PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) considerations make the hunt for value, rather than reputation, the priority for the upcoming window as they seek a permanent successor to Carrick in the dugout.
Negotiations for midfield reinforcements are expected to accelerate once United's permanent managerial appointment is finalised ahead of the June transfer window.