Man Utd 'plan clear-out of veterans' and youth revival with 21-year-old midfielder

Manchester United are preparing for a landmark squad reshuffle, with a major clear-out of high-earning veterans set to fund a new era of youthful recruitment under manager Ruben Amorim and INEOS.

This coming 'exodus' is set to be the club’s most significant in four years, signaling a ruthless pivot away from previous transfer strategies.

The headline departure is expected to be veteran midfielder Casemiro. The Brazilian, who turns 34 in February, is one of the club's highest earners on a reported £300,000-a-week, reported The Sun.

Despite an impressive first season following his £70 million arrival, his subsequent decline in form means the club plans to bypass the one-year extension option in his contract.

Casemiro’s exit is deemed essential to free up significant resources, which will be immediately earmarked for new investment in the midfield.

United’s primary target to fill the void is Carlos Baleba. The 21-year-old Brighton midfielder aligns with INEOS's new, data-driven strategy of signing young, high-potential talent.

While reports indicate Brighton is holding firm on a valuation north of £100 million, the pursuit of Baleba underscores the club's determination to build a dynamic, long-term midfield engine for Amorim's system.

In a stark contrast to Casemiro's fate, the Old Trafford career of defender Harry Maguire is set to be prolonged. Manager Ruben Amorim reportedly triggered the one-year option in Maguire’s deal in January, extending it until 2026, and the club rebuffed summer enquiries for the £190,000-a-week centre-back.

United is expected to open talks with the 32-year-old over a renewal, likely on a reduced salary. This decision highlights Amorim’s faith in Maguire’s experience and his perceived role as a vital leader within the evolving squad.

Beyond the major names, the club is finally preparing to cut their losses on several expensive flops, aiming to clear the wage bill and recoup funds. Jadon Sancho, the £73 million winger, is viewed as inevitable to be sold next year.

Currently on a season-long loan, he has not played a league match for the Red Devils in over two years, having become a prominent member of the 'bomb squad' of players deemed surplus to requirements.

Similarly, left-back Tyrell Malacia, Ten Hag's first signing, faces an uncertain future. If the £13 million man, who has been marooned at the club following a prolonged knee injury, cannot secure a move in the winter transfer window, he is also expected to be let go in the summer.

Finally, third-choice keeper Tom Heaton will depart when his contract runs out, with the 40-year-old already laying the groundwork for a coaching or punditry career.

The cumulative effect of these planned departures—shedding millions in wages and potentially raising crucial transfer capital—forms the foundation of INEOS's mission: to systematically dismantle the squad built under previous regimes and usher in a financially sustainable and tactically coherent new era.