Premier League juggernauts Manchester United have announced that six players are set to depart the club following the expiration of their contracts. The Red Devils have sent their retained list to the league officials prior to the full announcement.
Three of the six made appearances for United’s first team – Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho. The other three – Sonny Aljofree, James Bailey and Malachi Sharpe – are academy graduates (via manutd.com).
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Casemiro joined the club from Real Madrid in the summer of 2022 for a reported £60 million fee plus £10 million in add-ons. He won the 2024 FA Cup and 2023 EFL Cup titles with the Red Devils, scoring in a 2-0 final win over Newcastle United in the latter.
Overall, the 34-year-old racked up 26 goals and 14 assists in 160 appearances for United across all competitions. He is set to depart on a high after playing a crucial role in helping the club finish third in the 2025-26 EPL season and return to the Champions League.
While the Brazilian enjoyed a solid tenure at Old Trafford, the same cannot be said for Malacia and Sancho. The former, signed from Feyenoord in 2022 for a reported £13 million plus £1.7 million in add-ons, failed to make a lasting impact during his United tenure.
A severe knee injury and an unsuccessful loan move to PSV meant that the 26-year-old only made 50 appearances for Manchester United.
Sancho, signed from German giants Borussia Dortmund for a whopping £73 million fee in 2021, was billed as the next big thing in English football. However, inconsistent performances and recurring clashes with ex-United manager Erik ten Hag prevented him from reaching the dizzying heights that many predicted.
After failing to break into Manchester United’s lineup, the Englishman spent time on loan at Dortmund (2024), Chelsea (2024-25) and Aston Villa (2025-26). He made just 83 appearances for the Red Devils, bagging 12 goals and six assists.
Manchester City academy graduate on Manchester United’s transfer wishlist – Reports
Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is reportedly on Manchester United’s transfer shortlist, accoridng to reports from Sky Sports.
Dele-Bashiru graduated from Manchester City‘s academy in 2020. Without playing a senior game for the Cityzens, he moved to EFL Championship side Sheffield Wednesday (2020) and then to Turkish side Hatayspor (2023).
He joined Lazio on loan for the 2024-25 campaign. After an impressive debut campaign at the Stadio Olimpico, I Biancocelesti triggered the €4 million option to sign him permanently.
At Lazio, Dele-Bashiru has turned heads with his dynamic versatility, physicality and box-to-box play. He has racked up seven goals and four assists in 57 appearances for the club across all competitions.
According to Sky Sports, midfield is a priority for Manchester United to strengthen in this transfer window. With the signing of Atalanta’s Ederson almost secured, the Red Devils are looking at other options including Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes and Dele-Bashiru.
With two years remaining on his contract at Lazio, it is believed that the Nigerian international is happy at the club. However, Sky asserts that sources close to the midfielder suggest he is open to a move to the Premier League.
Edited by Aaryan Nagraj
