Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has provided an update on contract matters at Old Trafford, saying Kobbie Mainoo is close to agreeing fresh terms while the club still needs to resolve a handful of expiring deals.

On Mainoo, whose current contract runs until 2027, Carrick said: “We’d like to think so, and it’s getting closer, so we’re positive with that.

“We’re calm with it, but we’re positive with it, and time will tell how it goes. But at the moment, we are in a good place.” United therefore have no immediate rush over Mainoo, but attention must turn to other players whose contracts end this summer.

Casemiro’s exit has already been confirmed. Decisions remain outstanding on goalkeeper Tom Heaton, left back Tyrell Malacia and on-loan winger Jadon Sancho. Sancho’s deal is the only one of the three that includes a 12-month extension option.

Carrick was clear there is work to do: “I think coming to the summer, there’s contracts, and there’s all sorts of things that need to be sorted out, but at this stage, to that stage, it’s not been sorted out just yet,”

“I think we’ll cross that bridge a little bit further down the line, but it’s great to have Harry sorted and clarity in that situation. Casemiro was a little bit before me really, so I wasn’t particularly involved in that, but I think as time goes, everything ends up getting sorted out.

“We’re just not at that stage where anything else is sorted just yet.”

Heaton, who turns 40 later this week, has been a popular third-choice keeper since returning in 2021. He has played just three times since that return and has not featured since February 2023. A one-year extension could be on the cards for the veteran.

Malacia arrived for around $17 million (£15 million) in 2022 and provided reliable service in his debut year before a serious knee injury. Since the summer of 2023 he has logged just 323 minutes and a mixed loan spell with PSV Eindhoven did not reverse his downward trajectory. Offering him an extension would be an attempt to protect asset value, but the list of suitors is limited and keeping him could cost more than a sale would recover.

The dilemma is more acute with Sancho, who cost $90 million (£73 million). Accepting a significant loss on him would be damaging for United, and that is compounded by reports of wages as high as $400,000 (£300,000) per week.

Paul Scholes has called on Manchester United to move on from as many as eight players this summer, identifying a mixture of established figures and emerging names as possible departures. He singled out Leny Yoro as a surprising candidate among those he believes should leave.

Defence was the most prominent area of concern. Scholes backed Matthijs de Ligt to start but said doubts remain over Harry Maguire despite the centre back having recently signed a new contract. “Look, I think he’s been really good and he’s brought himself back from the dead,” Scholes conceded. “I think he’s been sensational, what he’s done. I’m so, so pleased for him, but I’m thinking about a United team you want to win the league and the Champions League, and that’s where United should be aiming.

“I’m not sure you’d do that with Maguire, unless you’ve got someone like a Rio [Ferdinand] next to him, then possibly, yeah.”

On the flanks, Scholes suggested a clearout among fullbacks. Diogo Dalot avoided criticism in the conversation, but Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui were earmarked for exit. “They brought him in as a wingback and he’s not really played there,” Scholes said of Dorgu. “I’d probably sell. I’m not sure what position he is. Again, if you keep him, then he’s just a squad player.”

On Mazraoui, Scholes added: “Sell. I don’t know where he fits in. He’s been like a right-sided center half and they don’t play with three center halves any more. If there are three center halves, then you’d probably have him as one of five or six, but I think it’s probably time to let him go now.”

Luke Shaw won praise and a tough conclusion. “When he was playing consistently, I don’t think there is a better left back in the world , not just Europe,” Scholes said. “But if you’re asking me now—and he’s done alright appearance-wise this year—I’d sell him. He doesn’t play enough games.”

Midfield was described as a priority following Casemiro’s exit on a free transfer. “Another one who’s turned his fortunes, but they need strengthening in that position,” Scholes said of the Brazilian. He added of Manuel Ugarte: “I think he’ll go.” On Mason Mount he said: “I’d probably sell him—and I like him, he’s a great footballer,” and “But he’s never going to play in front of Bruno Fernandes. I’m not sure what other position he could play and he doesn’t play enough games.”

Scholes also suggested unsettled striker Joshua Zirkzee could leave after limited minutes and reported interest from Saudi Arabia.

Scholes’s full verdict listed the following: Senne Lammens Keep; Diogo Dalot Keep; Noussair Mazraoui Sell; Matthijs de Ligt Keep; Harry Maguire Sell; Lisandro Martínez Keep; Patrick Dorgu Sell; Leny Yoro Sell; Luke Shaw Sell; Mason Mount Sell; Bruno Fernandes Keep; Casemiro Release; Manuel Ugarte Sell; Kobbie Mainoo Keep; Matheus Cunha Keep; Joshua Zirkzee Sell; Amad Diallo Keep; Bryan Mbeumo Keep.

Manchester United have reportedly kept Southampton midfielder Shea Charles on their radar as a budget-friendly alternative should Manuel Ugarte depart this summer. The Daily Mail says United’s recruitment team is monitoring a wide set of options and could turn to lower-cost targets if a failure to secure Champions League football limits transfer funds.

United remain expected to pursue top-market replacements for Casemiro, with Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba among those linked, each valued in the nine-figure bracket. That route remains likely while United hold a strong grip on third place in the domestic table and European qualification is still in sight.

Charles is a local product, born and raised in Manchester after 12 years on the Etihad Campus with Manchester City. He made one first-team appearance for City before departing in 2023 to Southampton, at a time when current United director of football Jason Wilcox was in charge at the Saints. The 22-year-old Northern Ireland international, eligible through his mother, is valued at $26.5 million (£20 million).

Last season Charles did not feature for Southampton in the Premier League despite being part of the promotion campaign; a change of system restricted his opportunities and he spent the season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday. He has returned to Southampton as they pursue promotion again. In the FA Cup on Saturday he was a second-half substitute as the Saints knocked Arsenal out, and he scored the late winning goal.

If United formalise interest in Charles they would face competition from Everton and two other unnamed Premier League clubs. Rangers would like to be involved but cannot financially compete with the English clubs.

Ugarte’s Manchester United career has not gone to plan. He emerged at Sporting CP as a lynchpin of Ruben Amorim’s successful team, moved to Paris Saint-Germain for significant money, produced a strong start that later faded, yet still attracted United interest in the summer of 2024.