Man Utd face final decision over FOUR January transfers for stars worth more than £150m

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim runs the risk of losing big money signings as the Premier League club prepare for the Portuguese’s third transfer window at the helm

Manchester United could lose more than £150million worth of signings for nothing when their contracts expire next summer. There is still time to recoup some of that money, though, and the January transfer window could be key.

The bulk of that £150m-plus sum comes from £80m centre-back Harry Maguire and £60m midfielder Casemiro. Tyrell Malacia cost approximately £13m, while the fourth member of the quartet – goalkeeper Tom Heaton – cost nothing.

With Heaton tipped to retire and Malacia yet to play this season after United were unable to offload him last summer, the focus is on the other two. Maguire and Casemiro both seemed destined for the scrapheap a year ago but have both enjoyed varying degrees of resurgence since Ruben Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag as manager.

Maguire has scored some important goals under Amorim after opting to stay and fight for his place, including memorable winners against Lyon and Liverpool. After sealing victory at Anfield, though, he indicated he wasn’t sure whether he will still be a United player next season.

“I’m in my last year now, so this could be the last time I played at Anfield for this club, so it’s really important that I’ve come here and ticked that one off,” he said. United triggered an extension in Maguire’s contract last term, but reports in October suggested he could be offered a new deal on reduced terms.

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Casemiro is another who could be forced into a pay cut. United brought the Brazilian in from Real Madrid in a 2022 deal which could yet see them pay out an extra £10m in add-ons, with mixed results.

He impressed in his debut campaign in England, helping United win the Carabao Cup and qualify for the Champions League, but struggled in the next two seasons to the point that a summer exit was mooted. The 33-year-old has bounced back to become a starter under Amorim this season but is one of the highest earners in the Premier League and is unlikely to command the same high wages even if he stays at Old Trafford.

Other players could also leave in January, with Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo attracting interest. However, Maguire, Casemiro, Malacia and Heaton are the four who are in danger of leaving for nothing.

There has been Saudi Pro League interest in Casemiro, while Maguire was courted by Premier League clubs including West Ham when an exit looked to be on the cards. Whether either would entertain a January exit is another matter, with both keen to represent their respective national teams at the World Cup and potentially deciding staying put provides the best chance of that happening.

England boss Thomas Tuchel has yet to call upon Maguire but insisted the 32-year-old remains in consideration when discussing options earlier this year. “He is always in our thoughts, he is always a threat from set-pieces, he has a big personality and he steps up in difficult times, as you can see at his club. He is always in our thoughts,” Tuchel said in May.

Casemiro returned to Brazil’s squad in June after more than 18 months without a cap, and has established himself under new manager Carlo Ancelotti. He captained the Selecao during friendlies against South Korea and Japan in October, and has more than a fighting chance of making the squad for the World Cup.

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