Man United’s 2026 signing now has a clear path to the first team with Casemiro set to leave

Casemiro’s time at Manchester United is coming to an end, and with it, a new chapter is set to begin.

Manchester United’s midfield has been in need of fresh faces for a while, and Casemiro’s exit confirms he won’t be part of the club’s plans beyond this season.

Even though his contract was nearing its end, there had been some talk about extending his stay on reduced terms.

Despite Casemiro’s performances being strong enough to justify that conversation, both sides have now decided to move on.

This is likely the right move. With a new manager set to arrive, United can now start planning their squad without any lingering uncertainties around Casemiro’s future.

One person who stands to benefit from this decision is recruitment chief Christopher Vivell. He now has a clearer picture heading into the summer transfer window.

But there is one move Manchester United have already made that could prove valuable as early as next summer.

Manchester United already have a young South American midfielder coming in who could help cover the loss of Casemiro.

Cristian Orozco will link up with the team in July, once he turns 18, after a deal was reached with Fortaleza.

United got the agreement done before the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, and Orozco has already been to Carrington to get a feel for his new environment.

According to El Diario in South America, Orozco is seen as “a modern defensive midfielder, with aggressive ball recovery, accurate long passes, and emotional maturity rarely seen in a 17-year-old.”

Brought in for just £1 million, it’s a low-risk move for United – especially given they famously passed on Moises Caicedo before his rise.

Why Orozco could fit in right away

Young players often need time to settle in. We’ve already seen Sekou Kone and Diego Leon start out with Manchester United’s under-21s rather than jumping straight into the senior squad.

Orozco’s path, though, might be a bit different, given the gaps in United’s midfield.

Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte will be United’s only two central midfielders at the start of next season, and the Uruguayan could be sold.

The club will likely bring in one or two more midfielders and may also look to promote from within. With more squad rotation expected if they qualify for Europe, depth will become even more important.

Orozco will benefit from starting pre-season early while many established players return late due to international duties. It gives him a clean slate and a chance to catch the manager’s eye.

If he impresses during that period, there is an open path for him to earn a spot in the first-team squad for 2026/27 – especially now that Casemiro won’t be around.