Last season, Manchester United’s performance fell far short of expectations. They finished only 14th in the Premier League and lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final, completely missing out on European competition for the new season. Despite this, United still spent €250 million in this summer’s transfer market, signing players such as Shesko, Cunha, Mbombo, and Ramens. However, their transfer strategy has clearly shifted.
Compared with previous years, United continue to invest in transfer fees, but place greater emphasis on wage control. Most of the new signings have weekly wages under £200,000, and the club has also successfully offloaded high-earning players such as Rashford, Sancho, Antony, and Hojlund. Currently, the highest-paid player at Manchester United is Brazilian defensive midfielder Casemiro, earning £350,000 per week.
Casemiro’s contract runs until June 2026, and according to ESPN, United are keeping an open mind regarding his future. If he renews, the club is requesting a significant wage reduction. The 33-year-old joined United from Real Madrid in the summer of 2022 for €75 million, and has since made 131 appearances, scoring 18 goals and providing 12 assists. In his first season, Casemiro was a key figure under Ten Hag, helping the team finish third in the league. However, as he has aged—especially in the physically demanding Premier League—his form has fluctuated, and he has sometimes struggled to maintain his previous level.
Nonetheless, in Amorelin’s current 3-4-2-1 formation, Casemiro forms a double pivot with 31-year-old Bruno Fernandes. So far this season, Casemiro has appeared six times in the Premier League, starting five matches and scoring once. Given that United have not signed another defensive midfielder, his position in the squad remains relatively secure for now. However, his £350,000 weekly wage has become a financial burden. Not only at Manchester United, but also in the wider Premier League, his salary ranks just below Haaland and Salah, placing him among the highest earners. United have therefore made it clear that if Casemiro wishes to stay, he must accept a significant pay cut, with his new weekly wage expected to be around £200,000—a figure more consistent with his current performance and playing time. Aside from staying at United, Casemiro also has the option to move to the Saudi Pro League or return to play in Brazil.
In addition to Casemiro, United’s other veteran player Harry Maguire also has a contract expiring in 2026. According to the Manchester Evening News, United have begun negotiations with Maguire on a contract renewal, planning to reduce his weekly wage and offer only a two-year deal, while Maguire is seeking a three-year contract. The 32-year-old joined United from Leicester City in the summer of 2019 for a record €87 million. Despite some inconsistency in performance, his professionalism and fighting spirit remain highly valued by the club. To date, Maguire has made 253 appearances for United, scoring 16 goals and providing 9 assists. In Amorelin’s three-center-back formation, Maguire is not a first-choice starter but serves as a rotational player. This season, he has played seven matches, starting three, scoring one goal and providing one assist. With his current weekly wage at £190,000, a reduction to £150,000 is likely acceptable, and a two-year deal demonstrates United’s sincerity—making his contract renewal highly probable.
Currently, aside from Casemiro and Maguire, the only other United player over 30 is Bruno Fernandes. If Casemiro chooses to either accept a pay cut or leave, next season he will be the only player earning more than £200,000 per week, leaving only Bruno Fernandes (£300,000 per week) in that category. This will create a more reasonable wage structure. Moreover, United’s squad age profile is relatively balanced, with the vast majority of players under 30. After years of adjustment, Manchester United’s overall expenditure has declined significantly compared with previous seasons.
