Manchester United Must Keep Experience as Casemiro Exit Raises Maguire Question | OneFootball

Casemiro’s announcement that he will leave Manchester United when his contract expires at the end of the season came as no real surprise. At 33 years old and on an eye-watering $500,000-a-week wage, the Brazilian was never likely to be offered an extension.

The highly decorated midfielder will be remembered fondly at Old Trafford despite an up-and-down four-year spell. He scored in the Red Devils’ Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle United in 2023 and contributed several important goals through his aerial prowess.

While Casemiro’s departure gives United greater flexibility in the transfer market this summer, it also raises concerns about the loss of experience in an already youthful squad.

Casemiro Exit Highlights Growing Experience Gap

United’s rebuild under co-owners INEOS has largely focused on signing younger, re-saleable players capable of peaking at Old Trafford. That strategy has brought promise, but also risk.

Accomplished centre-back Harry Maguire is also out of contract this summer, with no agreement yet reached with the England international. Losing both Casemiro and Maguire in the same window would leave a significant leadership void.

The club has already moved on a number of players who needed to go. The so-called ‘bomb squad’ — including Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford — have been shipped out following a series of fall-outs with successive managers.

Why Leaders Like Maguire Still Matter

Players like Casemiro and Maguire offer more than performances on the pitch. They set standards for professionalism, resilience and leadership behind the scenes.

Maguire’s journey at Manchester United has been particularly brutal. Stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag, relegated to the bench, nearly sold to West Ham United and mocked relentlessly by fans as his form dipped.

Yet the 32-year-old responded with dignity. He fought his way back into the side under both Ten Hag and successor Ruben Amorim, completing a remarkable redemption arc.

That story was punctuated by dramatic moments — a 120+1-minute winner in a 5-4 thriller against Lyon and a late decisive goal in a 2-1 victory at Liverpool in October 2025.

A Study in Contrast: Maguire vs United’s Outcasts

Maguire’s conduct under pressure stands in sharp contrast to others who struggled to handle adversity.

Jadon Sancho publicly criticised Ten Hag in 2023 after being dropped for a defeat at Arsenal for his poor training performances, claiming he had been “made a scapegoat”. He refused to apologise and was subsequently made to train alone.

When Alejandro Garnacho was left out of Ruben Amorim’s starting XI for the Europa League final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, his brother posted on Instagram that Alejandro had been “thrown under the bus”. Garnacho himself questioned his limited role post-match.

Alejandro Garnacho’s brother Roberto posted this after the Europa League final. Image: @rrobber7/instagram

He later inflamed tensions further by posting an image of himself wearing an Aston Villa shirt with the name of fellow outcast Marcus Rashford on the back — a move that alienated United supporters.

Both players have since departed Old Trafford.

Balance Is Key in INEOS’ Summer Transfer Plans

As INEOS prepare for an aggressive summer in the transfer market, it is vital that experience is not sacrificed in the pursuit of youth.

There must be a balance.

When Carlo Ancelotti took charge of Brazil in May 2025, one of his first moves was to recall Casemiro for the nation’s World Cup qualifiers and reinstate him as captain — a clear endorsement of experience.

Likewise, when Michael Carrick named his first Manchester United XI as interim head coach, he leaned heavily on senior figures and selected the most experienced back four available to him.

Carrick’s United Thriving With Experienced Spine

Luke Shaw (30), Harry Maguire (32) and Diogo Dalot (26) are the club’s three longest-serving players. They were joined by World Cup winner Lisandro Martínez (28) in defence for the 2-0 win over Manchester City in his first match.

Image: @manutd/instagram

The same back four remained intact for victories over Arsenal and Fulham as United surged into the Premier League’s top four.

With Casemiro partnering Kobbie Mainoo at the base of midfield and 31-year-old captain Bruno Fernandes restored to his favoured No.10 role, United have crafted an experienced spine — and results have followed.

Manchester United Should Think Carefully Before Letting Maguire Go

As United’s owners chase shiny new baubles to strengthen the squad this summer, they must be careful not to discard all of the club’s know-how in the process.

Retaining Harry Maguire would be a logical place to start.