'Highest-earner' Casemiro leaving gives 'financial flexibility'

While there has been external uncertainty over whether the club would trigger the additional year's option in Casemiro's contract, internally, there was none.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly and privately highlighted the eye-watering £375,000-a-week wages paid to the Brazilian as an example of the profligacy that predated his arrival.

There was no way Ratcliffe would countenance extending that at a time he is determined to cut costs and bring the wage bill down and sources say the decision not to trigger the option was made some time ago, well in advance of today's announcement.

United meanwhile, can move forward for their own midfield targets – Elliott Anderson, Carlos Belaba and Adam Wharton are high on that last – knowing their highest earner leaving gives them very useful financial flexibility.