Although many might have been left stunned last month following Michael Carrick’s return to the Old Trafford dugout, Manchester United have embarked on a sensational rise under the ex-Middlesbrough boss.
Clinching a 1-0 victory away at Everton on Monday night, the Red Devils have registered 13 points from their first five Premier League showdowns under Carrick’s guidance.
However, although Man United might now have their sights firmly set on booking a lucrative Champions League return this season, their midfield superstar has already announced he will be leaving Old Trafford at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
Although the English heavyweights might have been linked with both Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson over the past couple of months, it has been suggested that a newly-crowned AFCON winner is their dream Casemiro replacement.
Casemiro’s Old Trafford exit
While Casemiro might have initially come under some public scrutiny following his blockbuster £70million move from Real Madrid back in the summer of 2022, the Brazilian ace has been one of United’s standout performers this season.
Making 25 Premier League appearances this year and forming a budding partnership alongside a resurgent Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro announced last month that he will be leaving Old Trafford when his contract expires this summer.
Although fans around the red half of Manchester might have been desperate for the five-time Champions League-winner to be handed a new deal, it has been reported that the United hierarchy were keen to get his eye-water £375,000-per-week wages off their books.
Set to leave Old Trafford after a four-year spell among England’s elite, Casemiro scored the opening goal in the 2023 EFL Cup final victory over Newcastle at Wembley.
With it suggested that the former Los Blancos superstar has serious interest from both the United States and Saudi Arabia ahead of a big-money summer free switch, Casemiro will certainly leave a real hole in the middle of the park.
ℹ️ @Casemiro will depart United at the end of the season, upon the expiry of his contract.
A serial winner, we thank Case for his contributions in red so far and hope to finish his time at the club on a high together 🙏🔴
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 22, 2026
United eyeing up Gueye
Firing Senegal to an iconic AFCON crown on January 18th as he bagged a sensational extra-time winner against host nation Morocco, Pape Gueye has quickly embarked on a sudden rise to superstardom.
Notching a third La Liga strike of the season during Villarreal’s 2-1 victory against Valencia last weekend, the former Marseille midfielder has been one of Spain’s breakout performers this campaign.
At the heart of everything positive the Yellow Submarine have produced this season and with Villarreal currently sat third in the La Liga standings, Gueye finds his stock at a red-hot high.
With the Manchester United hierarchy making it clear that a new central midfielder is their number one priority this summer, Spanish outlet Fichajes reported this week that Carrick’s side are a keen admirer of the 27-year-old.
With it also reported that United are willing to pay in the region of €60million, the Senegalese hero would pounce at the opportunity to complete what would be a blockbuster move to Old Trafford.
Although Gueye’s current deal at the Estadio de la Ceramica might run until the summer of 2028, Villarreal would certainly be tempted to cash in on a player that they signed as a free agent less than two years ago.
Pape Gueye wins the TotalEnergies Man of the Match in the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 final. 🇸🇳🌟@Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/GtcPwDrbK9
— CAF Online (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2026