Frenkie de Jong has confirmed he weighed up a move to Manchester United in 2022, but ultimately decided to remain at Barcelona. The midfielder said Barcelona were willing to sell and United were prepared to buy, yet it was De Jong who halted the transfer.

On the decision he told The Guardian: “Of course, it’s crossed your mind at times, like, ‘O.K., what should I do?’”

Manchester United, recognizing the need for a deep-lying midfielder to make Erik ten Hag’s system function, shifted their focus to Casemiro when a deal for De Jong did not materialize.

Casemiro’s time at Old Trafford has been mixed. He enjoyed an excellent debut season before encountering a loss of form and falling out of favour after the arrival of Ruben Amorim, whose 3-4-2-1 formation would likely have created the same issues for De Jong.

Yet Casemiro later recovered his form and, the club have said, he has been among the primary reasons for United’s resurgence in the second half of the current campaign.

On his future, De Jong added: “So as long as I’m good enough to be a starter here, to make an impact and Barcelona is at the level I want to play at—with the sense that they’ll be competing for the major trophies—then there’s no reason for me to go.”

Age and timing are an important contrast. Having recently celebrated his 34th birthday, Casemiro will leave Old Trafford this summer as he prepares to bring his career to a close, while De Jong is on the cusp of turning 29.

The consequence of signing an older midfield anchor is clear: Manchester United must again search for a high-cost midfielder to occupy the base of their midfield.

Barcelona are reported to be exploring a second loan for Marcus Rashford after his temporary move last summer. The original agreement included an affordable $35.1 million (£26 million, €30 million) buyout clause, a figure Catalonia’s leaders appear unwilling to meet. Sky Sports News claim La Liga’s leaders are “interested” in retaining Rashford for at least one more season on a secondary loan deal.

Any discussions would be expected once the current campaign finishes and Rashford returns to Manchester United. United have previously ruled out negotiating a lower release clause, and the club remain intent on moving the forward on swiftly given concerns that his wages are set to skyrocket in the likely event of Champions League qualification.

From Barcelona’s perspective the proposal is straightforward: keep Rashford’s services without paying the $35 million fee. For United, the deal is less attractive. Pushing a permanent transfer back by a year risks further reducing the player’s market value. Rashford is described in the report as a versatile winger at peak age, 28, with two years remaining on his contract.

The possibility of a strong World Cup showing for England could raise his price, the draft notes, complicating matters for all parties. A follow-up loan would also not necessarily guarantee a permanent move next summer. If Barcelona again decide against triggering the clause, United could be left with a 29-year-old forward who has only 12 months left on his deal.

The Red Devils’ position is said to be clear: either Barcelona trigger Rashford’s release clause in full or he returns to Old Trafford. Should he return, the most likely outcome would be a new permanent destination for the player, with the report adding that there are plenty of clubs who would surely be keen on snapping up the talented forward.

Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has made clear there will be no contract extension for Casemiro, a decision that is expected to be final. Matheus Cunha, a teammate for both club and country, echoed those pleas on social media after the game, but Carrick has warned supporters not to get their hopes up.

“It’s pretty clear,” Carrick stressed. “From both sides, it’s pretty clear, the decision,” said the interim manager. “It’s pretty clear, too, how much it means to him [playing for United] and probably the situation and the clarity of the decision has helped ­everything to be understandable for the ­supporters as well.

“Credit to him because he’s given absolutely everything and had some big moments for us, so all round it’s quite a nice direction for it to be taken.”

A year ago the idea of losing Casemiro was not exercising United supporters. The Brazilian had struggled to get to grips with Ruben Amorim’s methods and would likely have been sold last summer if his high wage demands were not tied down by poor performances. That narrative has turned completely this season. Casemiro began a resurgence under Amorim and finished it under Carrick, emerging as a blend of box-crashing and defensive solidity that has been vital to United’s climb into the race for Champions League qualification.

United had wanted to invest heavily in midfield last summer and those plans stayed in place even as Casemiro rediscovered form. Now his departure is confirmed and the priority shifts: replacing Casemiro has arguably become more important than finding the complimentary piece once sought alongside him. The bar feels almost impossibly high. United will likely look for a younger signing but must find one capable of matching Casemiro’s impact, leadership and reliability. The number of suitable options can be counted on one hand.

Towards the top of the wish list are Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali. Both are expected to be spectacularly expensive and both have big-name suitors prepared to engage in bidding wars. Settling for an alternative may make sense commercially, but United cannot afford to lose Casemiro’s immediate impact. They must continue to shop at the top tier and be prepared to pay up. With whatever money is left, the club should pick up the pieces; Kobbie Mainoo is back shining in midfield, softening the need for a second costly reinforcement.