Six players who might be playing their last game for Man Utd against Brighton
Six players might be playing their last game for Manchester United this Sunday afternoon when Michael Carrick’s team hosts Brighton at Old Trafford.
United don’t have anything to fight for in the league on the final day since they’ve already secured third place. This means they will be back in the Champions League next season after missing out on Europe this year.
The club has already confirmed that Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia will leave as free agents when their contracts end next month. Casemiro, who is reportedly joining MLS side Inter Miami, has scored nine goals in 34 games this season and will likely start his final match at Old Trafford. Malacia, on the other hand, has only come on as a substitute twice all season but was on the bench during last week’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest. Carrick, who just signed a two-year deal to become permanent manager, might give him a farewell appearance.
There are also a few players whose future at United is unclear, and Sunday could be their last chance to play for the club. Manuel Ugarte from Uruguay faced criticism from fans near the end of Ruben Amorim’s time as manager. Since Carrick took over in January, he’s only started one Premier League game, which was a 2-1 home loss to rivals Leeds—the only time United have lost at Old Trafford under Carrick. Even though Casemiro is leaving, United are looking to sign two midfielders, so Ugarte might not be in their plans for next season.
Mason Mount has had a tough time with injuries at United and wasn’t a big topic when England’s World Cup squad was announced by Thomas Tuchel. The 27-year-old has played 22 Premier League games this season, the most since his £55 million move from Chelsea three years ago. He scored in wins against Wolves and Crystal Palace late last year but got injured again soon after Carrick arrived and has started just one game since coming back in March. Mount is a great player when fit, but it’s uncertain if he’ll stay next season.
Lisandro Martinez was important early in Carrick’s time but hurt his calf in February. When he returned, he was sent off in a 2-1 defeat to Leeds for pulling an opponent’s hair. The Argentinian has started every match when available under Carrick but his contract runs until June 2027. Journalist Andy Mitten said Martinez’s contract situation is ‘a little bit in flux’ and there’s no sign yet that United will offer him a new deal. Martinez is just 28 and has shown he can still help the team, but his injury history might make the club think about other options.
Joshua Zirkzee looks likely to leave this summer too. The Dutch forward can play as a striker or attacking midfielder. He only started once under Carrick—in a 0-0 draw against Sunderland—and didn’t impress enough to keep his spot. He’s been linked with Roma but reportedly wants to stay at United.
Often, clubs play their second-choice goalkeeper on the final day when there’s nothing at stake. Altay Bayindir might get that chance at United. The Turkish keeper started the season as number one after replacing Andre Onana but was dropped to the bench after United signed Senne Lammens on deadline day. Lammens is now the number one, so Bayindir may need to leave to get regular games.
There are reports that Real Madrid are interested in signing Diogo Dalot this summer, with his former manager Jose Mourinho keen to bring him in again. But Carrick wants United to block any offers for Dalot, who has been a key player this season. Dalot has been a regular starter and, although he has faced some criticism for his defense, he’s improved a lot with the new manager. If he moved to Real Madrid, he might be second choice behind Trent Alexander-Arnold but could also play left-back. Still, if Dalot wants to leave, United may find it hard to say no.