In an attempt to return to their former glory, Manchester United haven’t been afraid to splash the cash over recent years to aid their efforts in the Premier League.
The Red Devils have now gone over a decade without a league triumph, with Ruben Amorim the latest manager to try his luck and end the drought at Old Trafford.
In the last three years alone, the hierarchy have handed various managers over £700m worth of funds to try and improve the playing squad and move closer to title glory.
This summer alone, Amorim spent over £200m on reinforcements to try and right the wrongs of last season, which saw the side finish in a measly 15th position.
However, one player who was brought into the side before his arrival may well be out of favour in the coming months after his dismal stint in England’s top-flight.
Why Casemiro’s United career may be over
Back in the summer of 2022, United forked out a staggering £70m for the signature of midfielder Casemiro from Spanish giants Real Madrid – with such a deal raising eyebrows across England.
After making over 300 appearances in Madrid, there’s no denying he possessed quality, but such a fee was a mammoth one, given he was 30 at the time of his transfer.
However, his time in Manchester has been a disaster, often falling way below the standards many expected – with Jamie Carragher even claiming he needs to move to Saudi Arabia.
Despite his decline, Amorim has still utilised the experienced man in every Premier League game in 2025/26, starting and scoring in the victory over Chelsea on Saturday night.
In true Casemiro style, he ruined his contribution, subsequently picking up his second yellow and being sent off after dragging down Andrey Santos on the counterattack.
Such a dismissal was his fourth sending off since joining the club three years ago, often being an unreliable figure given his lack of discipline, which has cost the side in key moments.
The Brazilian is also on a whopping £350k-per-week – the most of any player in the squad – with the club desperately needing to cut ties when his contract comes to an end in 2026.
It’s clear a new midfielder is needed to help improve the squad, but with the window closed, there’s manager has to work with the options at his disposal – with one former player slipping through their net.
The former United star who’s now ahead of Casemiro
As a result of the club’s heavy spending in recent years, the hierarchy have had to make sacrifices and offload players from the squad to try and balance the books.
From established first-team members, to squad players and academy graduates – countless options have had to be moved on to allow for funds to be generated.
Numerous players have slipped through their net, with regret undoubtedly being felt by many involved with the club after their mistakes in offloading talents too prematurely.
James Garner is one of the players who certainly falls into such a category, with the hierarchy sanctioning his move away from his boyhood club in the same summer as Casemiro’s arrival.
The midfielder joined the Red Devils at the age of just eight, rapidly developing through the youth ranks and going on to make just seven first-team appearances – with his spells away from the club catapulting him to stardom.
Garner would spend 18 months on loan at Nottingham Forest, catching the eye with his box-to-box displays, registering eight goals and 10 assists over his two separate loan spells at the City Ground.
Such performances led to a permanent move to Everton three years ago, leaving the Red Devils for just £9m – a fee that now appears far too cheap given his rise away from Old Trafford.
He’s now become a key member of David Moyes’ Toffees squad, subsequently outperforming Casemiro in various key areas in the Premier League throughout 2025/26.
Garner, who’s been labelled “incredible” by one analyst, has completed more of the passes he’s attempted (82%), whilst also making more passes into the final third per 90 (4.6).
Games played
5
5
Goals & assists
1
1
Pass accuracy
82%
81%
Key passes
1.2
0.7
Passes into the final third
4.6
3.7
Tackles won
2.4
1.4
Interceptions made
1.6
0.7
Take-ons completed
25%
1%
Aerials won
67%
45%
Such numbers highlight the quality the youngster possesses in possession, with such quality something which the side have massively lacked in recent months.
However, out of possession is where the side need further improvement, but the 24-year-old possesses ball-winning quality in abundance – as seen by his tallies of 2.4 tackles won and 1.6 interceptions made per 90.
Both figures are higher than those of Casemiro, further demonstrating why the former United academy graduate is now a better talent than the Brazilian.
Given the remarkable rise of Garner, there’s no denying that the Red Devils made a huge mistake in allowing the Englishman to depart the club – with their loss now Everton’s gain.
Next summer will be huge for the club as they look to finally strengthen in midfield, but it’s safe to say they would’ve saved millions had they kept faith in one of their own.