Man Utd Face Possibility of Four Players Agreeing To Leave The Club This Week

With the January transfer window fast approaching, Manchester United face the prospect of losing a number of first-team players whose contracts expire this summer, including Harry Maguire.

As part of the 1995 Bosman ruling, clubs from other countries can discuss pre-contract agreements with players in England up to six months before the expiry of their current deals.

If talks are successful and a pre-contract is finalised, then a player can move for free in the summer. Trent Alexander-Arnold, for example, was free to discuss terms with Real Madrid in January 2025.

However, this six-month rule applies only to foreign clubs. In England, a club cannot engage with a player from another club until they have entered the final month of their deal.

In total, four players from Manchester United's current first-team squad can technically agree to join clubs next week as they head into the final months of their contract, including Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.

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Casemiro is entering the final six months of his contract at United. Image credit: Getty

The 33-year-old, who is one of United's top earners on a reported £375,000 per week, has been strongly linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League in recent months.

United, meanwhile, hold an option to extend Casemiro's deal for an extra year. As noted in a report by The Mirror, they exercised a similar option with Harry Maguire, whose deal was due to expire in June 2025 before the option was triggered.

For large parts of the 2025-26 campaign, Casemiro has been a regular under Ruben Amorim. "I think he gives a lot of experience. He's an example for everyone," Amorim said of the Brazilian in October.

On the subject of Maguire, the England international's current deal also runs until the summer of 2026 and, like Casemiro, the defender has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford over the past 12 months.

United are yet to open talks with Harry Maguire over a new deal. Image credit: Getty

Last week, Ruben Amorim was asked whether the club had reached a decision on extending deals for both Casemiro and Maguire.

“No, there is no decision. We have a lot to do. We need to understand what is going to happen in the next season because we need to understand if there is European games, what we are doing," he said.

“I’m really happy with them, but I don’t know what is going to happen, so we’ll see what is going to happen until the end of the season, what position we will be, and then we’ll see.”

As well as the previously mentioned pair, experienced goalkeeper Tom Heaten is entering the final six months of his contract, although the 39-year-old is expected to retire in 2026, according to reports.

Tyrell Malacia is also in the same situation and, although United have an option to extend his contract for an extra year, the Dutch defender continues to struggle for first-team minutes.