Manchester United Thread 25/26 - Teamtalk/Transfers/Gossip Mod Note in OP 12.02.26

I agree it is best Casemiro leaves this summer on a good note rather than wait until fans are sick of the sight of him due to age curtailing performances. Casemiro's main benefit to the team seems to be as a real threat at set pieces. His goals this season will be very hard to replace but it ought to be possible to get two top level premier league midfielders for his wages.

Was I the only one who saw Casemiro do the little "money" gesture of rubbing his fingers and thumb together at the start of his goal celebration the other night?

I assumed it was pointed at the board that one. As in, "See what I can do, you should pay to keep me".

For myself, I would not pay to keep him. Not much anyway. He is not the future.

I dont think he was saying ' I think you should pay me' I think it was a cheeky way of saying he's delivering value after yet another very important goal. There's a mutual agreement between Case and the club that he will leave at the end of the season and there's nothing to suggest he might be upset about that at all.

More or less. His contract technically has an extension clause which he very likely will start the required number of games for it but he's agreed to waive that extension to move. Could have easily said na and stayed around earning a big paycheck with the CL bonus back.

And Id say the club didn't even make him an offer which would have made him feel disrespected. I'd say straight up they told him they want to push forward with young signings and would rather both parties went their separate ways.

And he was happy to do that because he feels he can contribute much still and even be a starter. I think he'd do good at one of the top Serie A clubs but might prefer a move somewhere that's going to be for a few years.

I usually really respect your perspective on here so this one surprised me to be honest. I agree it’s probably time for him to move on but your post feels a bit dismissive of everything Casemiro has brought since he joined the club. Form dips happen to everyone for sure, especially when the club was going through so much upheaval and he was asked to perform roles in systems that didn’t play to his strengths but that doesn’t erase his impact imo and as they say class is permanent.

It may come down to squad depth and money being spent on improving other areas of the squad if they feel he can still offer something as cover for LB and LCB without having to buy someone for that role.

I would like to see them buy a first choice LB this summer and give Dorgu some opportunity in that role. I think Dorgu can offer something at LW but if he can also show something at LB you can avoid spending money on a back up in that position.

Lightning quick, strong and can whip a cross in, should be all over him.

The celebration was explained previously as one he worked on with his son. The rubbing of the fingers and thumb together under his nose is him smelling goals. Nothing to do with money.

I’d rather see Tottenham go down if that’s the case.

I don't think they'll be able to get rid of any of them at a cost that a suitable replacement will be able to come in. I would keep them all for next year, they all have great experience and I'm sure they're good to have around during a rebuild of a squad. I would try and bring in a CB on a free or a cheaper rotation option but it's also balance as you don't want to stunt Yoro and Heaven's progression as well so I could understand why they wouldn't bring anyone in. For LB we have Dorgu, Shaw, Amass and Diego Leon so we could potentially get by with another year, same on the other side with Dalot/Maz. They're not PL title winning options by any means but I don't think we'll be pushing for the premier league next year. Replace the midfield this year and maybe a back up striker and I think that squad is plenty good enough to finish top 4 next year. Concentrate on the back line the year after and then that's the full rebuild over 3 years and hope to challenge for the title in 2028/2029- the big question here is how to replace Bruno over the next 2 to 3 years while doing this.

They need Nuno to have a dramatic downturn aswell. Its not just in De Zerbi's hands.

Isn't great going into a game against Liverpool feeling fairly confident that we will win. How different to previous season's.

Which i could share that confidence.

I'm expecing a 0-3 loss, Isak hattrick off wirtz assists.

We dont need wharton and Baleba would be an underwhelming signing.

Wouldn't back Newcastle with bad money to beat anyone at the moment. They're in shocking form. Leeds are virtually safe already and will be guaranteed so by the time West Ham play them, so that has every chance of being a Hammers win.

Still think it could go either way but I'd give West Ham a good chance. They're in decent form too (only lost once in their last eight games).