Manchester United have prioritized moving on Casemiro, 34, during the upcoming summer window as the club adopts a more ruthless strategy inspired by Mohamed Salah’s situation at Liverpool. According to reports in FootballTransfers, the United hierarchy is keen to avoid a repeat of the Egyptian’s perceived decline at age 33 by offloading the Brazilian midfielder now, rather than gambling on his heavy wage packet. Casemiro is understood to earn in excess of £400,000 per week, a figure bolstered by Champions League qualification bonuses, making a summer exit a financial priority for the INEOS-led recruitment team.
The Salah cautionary tale and United’s midfield shift
United’s change in approach stems from observing Liverpool’s handling of Salah, who recently confirmed his departure from Anfield following a mutual termination of his contract. Speaking to The National News, Salah admitted he has "a lot of options" but noted the importance of leaving on his own terms. Analysis from FootballTransfers suggests United want to sell Casemiro while his stock remains high following a resurgent season, fearing a sharp drop-off in performance similar to that seen at Anfield. This mirrors a broader drive to lower the squad’s average age; while United have committed significant funds to youthful additions like Benjamin Sesko (£50m+) and Bryan Mbeumo (£62.5m), the wage bill remains inflated by ageing assets like Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
Pulisic identified as versatile attacking target
As the club prepares for a potential nine-player exodus to satisfy PSR requirements, attention has turned to AC Milan's Christian Pulisic. The 27-year-old forward has 12 months remaining on his contract in Italy and is viewed as a key versatile target for the 2026 window. As first reported by OneFootball, internal discussions have stepped up regarding the American, who has rebuilt his reputation in Serie A. Discussing a potential return to England on the podcast circuit, former United goalkeeper Tim Howard suggested Pulisic is now in a "high class" alongside the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, having proven his quality abroad. United see Pulisic as a high-value opportunity to add technical depth without the astronomical salary demands of their previous veteran signings.
The recruitment team is expected to formalise interest in Pulisic once the exits of Casemiro and other high-earning seniors are secured.