Manchester United Ready to Let Ten Hag’s Expensive Transfer Flops Leave for Free as Amorim Plans Squad Overhaul

Manchester United are preparing for yet another summer rebuild — and this time, some of Erik ten Hag’s most expensive signings could leave the club for absolutely nothing.

United have struggled to find stability since Ruben Amorim took charge in 2024, and the Portuguese coach has had to deal with a squad that is bloated, expensive, and underperforming. His first 12 months in charge have been tough, with just nine wins in 32 Premier League matches, leaving huge pressure on both him and his players.

A Summer of Change at Old Trafford

Last summer, Amorim and the club’s hierarchy worked hard to trim down the squad. Several big names departed:

Alejandro Garnacho and Antony left permanently.

Rasmus Højlund, Marcus Rashford, André Onana, and Jadon Sancho were shipped out on loan — and few of them look likely to return to Old Trafford long-term.

Those exits helped clear some space, but it wasn’t enough. United still carry a massive wage bill, and Amorim is determined to reshape the squad in his own image. The focus will now shift to summer 2026, when three high-profile players are expected to leave as free agents.

Casemiro’s Time Almost Up

The biggest name on the chopping block is Casemiro. Signed for £70m from Real Madrid in 2022, the Brazilian midfielder was supposed to bring world-class quality and leadership. And while his first season was a success, the years since have been less convincing.

At 33, Casemiro remains one of the highest earners at the club. He is still playing regularly under Amorim, but his lack of pace and discipline have been exposed — most recently with a red card against Chelsea. United hold an option to extend his deal by a further year, but all signs now point to Casemiro walking away for free next summer.

Jadon Sancho: From £73m Star to Forgotten Man

The story of Jadon Sancho is one of the biggest disappointments of the Ten Hag era. United spent £73m on him in 2021, hoping he would light up Old Trafford. Instead, he has gone more than two years without playing a league match for the club.

Sancho is currently trying to revive his career on loan at Aston Villa, but his future clearly lies away from United. The club are not expected to activate the 12-month extension clause in his contract, meaning he too will be available for free in 2026.

Tyrell Malacia: A Career Stalled

The third player almost certain to depart is Tyrell Malacia. He was Ten Hag’s first signing at United, arriving for £13m from Feyenoord in 2022. But his time in Manchester has been plagued by injuries, and he has barely featured for the club.

Malacia came close to a move to Turkey last summer, but the deal collapsed late on. Now he will join the list of players allowed to leave for nothing once his current deal expires.

Maguire Could Stay

Interestingly, one player who was once certain to leave now looks set to stay: Harry Maguire. The England defender was heavily criticised during Ten Hag’s time, losing both form and the captaincy. But Amorim has shown faith in the 31-year-old, who has fought his way back into the team.

United triggered a one-year extension earlier this season and are now hoping to tie him down to a longer-term deal, though likely on reduced wages

What Comes Next

With Casemiro, Sancho, and Malacia expected to depart, United will finally be in a position to slash their wage bill. That could free up room for Amorim to make the kind of signings he wants — with midfield reinforcements the top priority.