Forgotten gem who is ‘like two men’ may end Casemiro and Ugarte’s stay at Man Utd

More than any other place, Wembley perhaps best marks the turbulent nature of Casemiro’s time at Manchester United.

Indeed, in February 2023, United’s emerging talisman scored in the opener as Erik ten Hag’s side claimed Carabao Cup glory, with the Brazilian proving to be the ‘glue’ of the team that season, in his manager’s eyes.

However, around 15 months later, the former Real Madrid player simply watched as the Red Devils shocked Manchester City to win the FA Cup, with the much-maligned Sofyan Amrabat acting as the midfield mainstay that day.

Confusion remains over why Casemiro was absent, having initially been included in the matchday squad, before withdrawing due to a hamstring strain.

Was he simply disturbed by his removal to Amrabat, or was there a real problem? Regardless, that day – like the debacle at Selhurst Park a few weeks earlier – seemed to mark the beginning of the end of the veteran’s career at Old Trafford.

Remarkably, as 2026 approaches, the 33-year-old has defied all odds to regain his starting place under Ruben Amorim’s regime, although his long-term future remains murky.

Why Man Utd still have to let resurgent Casemiro go

Have his legs failed him, or has the midfielder simply abandoned Ten Hag, with the five-time Champions League winner looking so out of sorts when deployed as a makeshift centre-back in that 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.

With Amorim out the door, the aging talent has looked like a different player, it must be said, with the Portuguese coach among those who appear surprised by the manner in which he is re-emerging.

Although Casemiro started alongside Christian Eriksen for Amorim’s first game at Portman Road, he initially disappeared, having been “behind every midfielder, even Toby”. [Collyer]” at one point, according to his manager.

A fixture in last season’s Europa League, the £70 million signing has since started 13 Premier League games in 2025/26, scoring key goals against Chelsea, Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

He’s a man on the rise, but should that cloud the judgment of Amorim and INEOS? A player Sir Jim Ratcliffe labeled a problematic signing, before his arrival at Old Trafford, surely there must be a desire to take such an expensive asset off the books.

At a fee of £350,000 per week, it’s difficult to see the point in extending Casemiro’s contract, with only six months to run on his current contract.

The suggestion is that INEOS will indeed look to let him leave for nothing, and despite his recent rise, that should apparently be the right course of action, particularly considering the midfield warrior turns 34 in February.

This process of Casemiro’s transition out of the camp could also be made a lot easier if Amorim turns to a forgotten figure at United – and no, it’s not Manuel Ugarte.

Forgotten Man Utd star can replace Ugarte and Casemiro

Upon his move to Manchester in the summer of 2024, there was a feeling that Ugarte would be Casemiro’s ready-made replacement, becoming something of a tackling machine during his time at Sporting CP, although less so at Paris Saint-Germain.

18 months later, while he still ranks in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for tackles made per 90, according to FBref, the Uruguayan has drifted to the periphery, starting just two league matches all season.

The subject of criticism from his manager at the end of last term, the 24-year-old is considering his own quick exit as 2026 approaches, amid reports he too could be sacked in January or next summer.

Again, the decision to allow him to leave in the new year could be made much easier if Amorim decides to reinstate the aforementioned Collyer, with there a debate to be had over recalling the Englishman from his loan spell at West Bromwich Albion.

Currently back in Manchester, where he is receiving treatment for a fresh injury, which could keep the 21-year-old sidelined for eight weeks, it could be worth keeping the former Brighton and Hove Albion man on board when he is back fully fit, especially given the lack of midfield depth at Amorim’s disposal.

The player Ten Hag focused on during the FA Cup final celebrations, as he did with Kobbie Mainoo in the Carabao Cup a year earlier, Collyer went on to make 13 first-team appearances last season, following his debut off the bench in the Community Shield defeat to Man City.

Now, he may not be the glamorous Mainoo-style ball player that United also need, but what he does possess is a real drive and work ethic, with such athleticism clearly lacking in the experienced duo of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.

Indeed, according to his former Brighton coach, Mark Beard, he almost “plays like two men sometimes‘, such is the ground he can cover, having been hailed arguably as the ‘best in the country’ in this department in his age group.

Also noted as being “like a Kante” by Beard, Collyer showed flashes of this defensive acumen last season, memorably producing a remarkable goal-line clearance against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Of course, it hasn’t been a fruitful loan spell due to injury and a lack of playing time, having started just three league games for the Baggies, although once fit and available again, the two-footed talent could deserve a chance to stake his claim in Amorim’s first team.

Ugarte, one of the worst signings of modern times, is simply not up to the task, while Casemiro is surely heading towards the highlight of his time at United.

Collyer, although a wildcard option, could well represent the perfect replacement to help them out.

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