Sir Alex Ferguson’s key Man Utd rule explains why Ruben Amorim must consider contract decision
Ruben Amorim should listen to Sir Alex Ferguson’s key principles as he decides which Manchester United stars should have their contracts extended.
There are five Manchester United players with contracts expiring next summer, and so Ineos must decide who to extend and who to release ahead of 2026.
Reports claim Harry Maguire is in contract talks with his current deal expiring next summer, although the former club captain would have to accept a wage cut.
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According to ESPN, United could also hand a new contract to Casemiro if he agrees to take a cut to his £350,000 per week wages.
Casemiro rejected Brazilian interest to stay at United for the 2025/26 season, and it seems the 33-year-old could well extend his stay at Old Trafford again.
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Ruben Amorim must listen to Ferguson over Casemiro call
There is no denying Casemiro’s experience at an elite level considering he won five Champions League titles during his time with Real Madrid.
Manuel Ugarte was signed to be Casemiro’s successor, but in the big matches, Amorim has chosen to start Casemiro ahead of the Uruguayan in midfield.
Casemiro not only remains a key part of Amorim’s starting XI, but he is also hugely valuable behind the scenes in terms of being a role model and a senior leader.
In 2012, legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson outlined his eight key leadership principles to Harvard Business School.
Within those key principles, Ferguson emphasised the importance of having senior players in the dressing room: “We identified three levels of players: 30 and older, 23 to 30, and the younger ones. The idea was that the younger players were developing and would meet the standards the older ones had set. I believe that the cycle of a successful team lasts maybe four years and then some change is needed.
“I expected even more from the star players. Superstars with egos are not the problem some people may think. They need to be winners because that massages their egos, so they will do what it takes to win.”
Man United must overhaul midfield in 2026
United spent big in the summer transfer window but the one area that wasn’t addressed at all was in central midfield.
Links to Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton didn’t result in a bid being made, with Ineos happy to wait until 2026.
United were open to selling Ugarte, and that could still be the case next year if he fails to work his way into Amorim’s starting XI.
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Rumours continue to link Kobbie Mainoo with an exit, too, while Saudi show interest in Bruno Fernandes. A complete overhaul in midfield could be on the horizon in 2026.
Amorim wants more physicality and intensity in midfield, and perhaps the best way to achieve that is to rip up the squad and start again.
