The tension is palpable at Old Trafford as Manchester United prepare for a crucial showdown at Anfield this weekend, with the club’s internal dynamics and player futures dominating headlines. As the Red Devils gear up to face their fierce rivals Liverpool, uncertainty swirls around the squad’s core, especially in midfield, and a new face in goal is set to be tested on one of the Premier League’s biggest stages.
Manchester United’s summer of spending, which saw over £200 million invested in new talent, was meant to signal a new era under manager Ruben Amorim. Yet, as Amorim approaches the first anniversary of his tenure, the club’s fortunes remain mixed. The team finished a disappointing 15th in the Premier League last season, and early results this term have done little to silence the critics. With three defeats in their opening seven league matches, the pressure hasn’t relented, despite a recent 2-0 win over Sunderland before the international break.
Central to United’s current narrative is the future of Casemiro. The Brazilian midfielder, signed from Real Madrid in July 2022 for a hefty £70 million fee, was initially seen as the experienced anchor United so desperately needed. At 30, his arrival drew skepticism, but his pedigree—a five-time Champions League winner—could not be disputed. Since then, Casemiro has become a mainstay in the side, starting five of seven Premier League matches this season, missing one only due to a red card against Chelsea.
Yet, as of October 14, 2025, Casemiro’s future is anything but certain. According to ESPN and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United are open to keeping Casemiro beyond the expiry of his current contract in June 2026, but only if he agrees to a significant salary reduction. The Brazilian is currently the club’s highest earner, following the departures of David de Gea and Raphael Varane. United do have the option to activate a one-year extension clause, but that would see Casemiro continue on his current, hefty wages—a scenario the club appears keen to avoid.
Romano’s latest update paints a picture of growing uncertainty: "The situation is not guaranteed and the silence from Manchester United speaks volumes." The club’s willingness to negotiate is clear, but Casemiro’s own intentions remain under wraps. As things stand, he would be free to negotiate with foreign clubs as early as January, opening the door for a potential summer exit in 2026. The looming contract saga has only added to the sense of transition at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, manager Ruben Amorim finds himself under a different kind of scrutiny. Despite minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s public backing—"Three years. Because football is not overnight. It’s three years. You also look at [Mikel] Arteta at Arsenal. He had a miserable time over the first couple of years. We have to be patient. We have a long-term plan," Ratcliffe told The Times’ The Business podcast—others are less convinced by the promise of stability. Former United goalkeeper Ben Foster was blunt on his Fozcast podcast: "Nobody’s got three years, it’s ridiculous. You can’t ever say that. If Man United go and lose five out of their next six games, he’ll get sacked. It’s as simple as that."
Amorim’s record so far is underwhelming—just 37 points from a possible 102 in the Premier League. The club’s embarrassing Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town in August did little to help his case. Reports of potential successors, including Oliver Glasner, Eddie Howe, Gareth Southgate, and Diego Simeone, have surfaced, though the club insists Amorim’s position is secure for now. Behind the scenes, chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox have held informal talks with key players, including captain Bruno Fernandes, to gauge the mood and direction of the squad.
Fernandes himself has become a focal point in United’s tactical evolution. The Portuguese midfielder has been a near ever-present under Amorim, but not without controversy. Amorim’s decision to deploy Fernandes in a deeper midfield role has drawn criticism from pundits and ex-players alike. Former Chelsea star Craig Burley, speaking on ESPN, didn’t mince words: "They have got no legs in midfield, we’ve talked about this with Casemiro and Ugarte. Bruno Fernandes is playing there, but it’s not his position. He doesn’t understand the defensive aspects and the positional aspects of being a deeper-lying midfielder."
Gary Neville, after last month’s Manchester derby defeat, echoed these concerns, stating on his podcast: "Bruno is United’s best player by a mile, but this system has to have him as one of a two in midfield or as one of a front three, of which he is neither of these two positions." Despite the criticism, Fernandes has remained diplomatic, telling reporters during the international break: "I love playing football, whatever the position. They can put me at full-back, winger, goalkeeper. I’ll always give my best. Everyone has their preferences, but we have to adapt to the coach’s ideas."
While midfield uncertainty looms, all eyes are also on United’s new goalkeeper, Senne Lammens. The 23-year-old Belgian, signed from Royal Antwerp in September, impressed on his debut with a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Sunderland. But the real test comes this Sunday at Anfield, where Liverpool—eager to bounce back from three consecutive defeats—await.
Lammens has received a ringing endorsement from his Belgium teammate Thibaut Courtois. The Real Madrid shot-stopper told the press: "The first game was a flavour of what United will get. He’s a tall guy, he is not afraid to come on crosses and he’s a kid with personality. I’m sure he can do a good job. He has a tough game this weekend, so I hope if he plays it will go well for him. All the best to him." Courtois, who will visit Anfield himself with Real Madrid in the Champions League on November 4, knows better than most the challenge that awaits: "It’s a hard stadium. Maybe I should tell him (Lammens) to clap the home fans when he arrives at the Kop."
As United prepare for their high-stakes trip to Anfield on October 19, 2025, the club finds itself at a crossroads. The outcome of the match could set the tone for the weeks ahead, both on and off the pitch. Will Casemiro’s contract saga distract from the team’s focus? Can Fernandes adapt and flourish in a deeper role? And will Lammens rise to the occasion on Merseyside’s biggest stage?
One thing is certain: with so much at stake, the drama at Manchester United is far from over. The coming weekend promises answers—and perhaps even more questions—as the Red Devils chase stability and success in a season already full of twists and turns.
