Matheus Cunha has suggested that many within the Manchester United squad would welcome Casemiro staying beyond this campaign, despite the Brazilian’s public indications that he is ready to move on.

Cunha made the point after Sunday’s win over Liverpool, underlining Casemiro’s influence both on the pitch and in the dressing room. “I play with him in the national team and I know how important he is. He’s an amazing guy and to have this guy in the dressing room is a privilege,” the forward told reporters.

The midfielder has produced arguably his best form since arriving in England from Real Madrid and his experience is a clear asset. As a five-time European champion with Real Madrid, Casemiro’s knowledge would be valuable when Manchester United return to the Champions League in 2026–27.

Cunha added that uncertainty over contract details leaves room for hope. “We don’t know in the end how it is with his contract. [But] then, of course, we—everyone—hope there’s a little bit more. I know it’s harder than we talked about, but, in the end, you never know.”

At 34, Casemiro is described in the draft as not old by today’s standards and clearly a popular dressing-room figure. The piece highlights that his continued presence could act as a morale boost and that United might manage his minutes, with the option of reducing Premier League appearances to focus on European fixtures.

The article also notes the squad’s underlying need for reinforcements. Even before Casemiro’s departure was announced, Manchester United required midfield strengthening. Now the team reportedly needs three or possibly four new midfielders ahead of next season. If Casemiro were to remain, the immediate task of replacing him directly could be deferred until 2027.

Those are the positions and considerations facing the club as the season progresses and questions over Casemiro’s future remain open.

Manchester City have reached an understanding with Phil Foden on a new long-term deal, with the England international said to have “agreed in principle” to a contract that will keep him at the Etihad beyond his 30th birthday. The club and player remain aligned and are expected to finalise terms “in due course.”

The negotiations represent a notable shift in representation for the 25-year-old, who had been handled by his family through his career. These talks, however, were led by Rafaela Pimenta, the Brazilian lawyer who also manages teammate Erling Haaland after inheriting the late Mino Raiola’s stable in 2022.

Foden’s connection to City is long established. Scouted at four, the Stockport-born player received private education funded by the club and progressed through the academy to make his first-team debut aged 17 in 2017. He has since made more than 350 senior appearances and emerged as a key figure from 2020 during a period of sustained success for City.

That peak arrived in 2023–24, when Foden completed a clean sweep of England’s major individual honours: PFA Players’ Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season. A difficult Euro 2024 with England followed, and Foden acknowledged mental and physical issues last May that undermined his 2024–25 season. This campaign has not matched his best form.

A prolific spell across four Premier League matches from late November to mid-December produced six goals and one assist, but he has not scored since and has struggled for regular starts. Since a halftime withdrawal against Manchester United on Jan. 17, Foden has started only two of City’s last 12 Premier League fixtures, been an unused substitute in three and played five minutes or less in three others. He was also left on the bench in both legs of the Champions League round of 16 with Real Madrid.

Versatility has both helped and hampered him; during his winter run he operated on the left, right and as a No. 10 and has since found competition for places intense. With Jérémy Doku back on the left, Antoine Semenyo established on the right after arriving in January and Rayan Cherki providing spark through the middle, his role has been limited. The March international break highlighted England manager Thomas Tuchel’s ongoing search for solutions, a situation that could leave openings for Foden in the summer.

After Euro 2024, he said, “The position I was put in on the left was very difficult to influence the game,” he told the Manchester Evening News.

Mikel Arteta confirmed a timely boost for Arsenal with Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz available for selection for Tuesday’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Atlético Madrid. Havertz had missed the first leg in Spain after damaging his hamstring against Newcastle United, a setback that sidelined him for that match. Viktor Gyökeres has since scored three goals across the subsequent two matches but “lacks the craft and guile of his teammate,” leaving Arteta with tactical choices to consider given Atlético’s typical defensive setup.

Against an opponent likely to press aggressively in spells while affording limited space behind their backline, Havertz is described in the original report as the more natural option through the middle. “We need options,” the Arsenal boss warned, “we need the capacity to play different games, whether it’s from the start or after. So it’s really, really good news for us to have them both back.” That flexibility is important for a manager preparing for a two-legged tie.

Arsenal’s preparations have been brightened by the return of those two players. Atlético’s preparations were disrupted on the eve of the match after multiple members of the playing and coaching staff were thought to have been woken at around 1.30 a.m. by fireworks set off outside Atlético’s hotel in east London. A second batch were released 20 minutes later, which convinced club staff this was a targeted approach. MARCA report that the club swiftly complained to UEFA about this interference.

An additional detail is that Atlético chose to stay in a different hotel to the one they used when they met Arsenal earlier in the Champions League this season. Manager Diego Simeone said this was down to finances while club president Enrique Cerezo laughed it off: “The economy is the economy.”

Off the field Arsenal continue to wait on Jurriën Timber. The fullback has not featured since being forced off with a groin problem against Everton in mid-March. Arsenal have lost four of six domestic matches in Timber’s absence, tumbling out of both cup competitions and allowing Manchester City back into the Premier League title race. There is no clear timeline for Timber’s return.