Man Utd news: Casemiro 'thinking about' staying and Harry Maguire contract update emerges

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Uncertainty lies ahead for Manchester United this summer, with questions abound as to whether Michael Carrick will be the one making the decisions. However, there are several transfer storylines already taking shape among the current squad.

Much of United's business in the off-season will depend mightily on where the club finishes this season. And Carrick has restored a sense of self-belief after lifting the club back up to third in the Premier League .

Their place will come under fire on Sunday, however, as the Red Devils prepare to host Aston Villa . Third will take on fourth in an epic six-pointer, with both teams desperate for a return to next term's Champions League .

In particular, two veteran talents who had appeared destined for the exit may now stay following the resurgence. And Mirror Football breaks down some of the main storylines around Old Trafford at present.

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Former United midfielder Kleberson has suggested Casemiro is now "thinking about" staying at United despite already announcing his departure. The Brazil anchor announced in January that he would leave when his contract comes to a close in June.

And now compatriot Kleberson has added further fuel to the fire by hinting the change of circumstance under Carrick could lead him to reverse his decision. And his countryman is adamant the 34-year-old could still be a key player.

"I know he cost a lot of money, but he has really brought some leadership to the club," he told Goal . "That is also why he came back into the Brazilian national team and why he will play in the World Cup. He really brings the leadership and he does that as well in Man United. He is a great team-mate and a great competitor.

"Of course, we can't compare his leadership to Roy Keane's because that was completely different, but he knows the rules at Man United. I think he is happy at Man United, but the club has never been in a good position. I still think he would like to stay at Man United, or at least he is thinking about it because it has gone so well under Michael Carrick."

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Casemiro, who is United's best-paid player on around £350,000 a week , has a clause in his contract allowing the club to extend his terms by another 12 months. And Kleberson is seemingly in favour of the club triggering that option if it means his United tenure can continue.

"I really want him to stay at Man United," he continued. "He knows about the passion the club and the fans have. He is always working hard and plays up to the level you expect from a Man United player.

"To bring a guy in like him will be very tough. Man United used to have a lot of those players, but they don’t have these players anymore. Casemiro is like that - Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, he brings that sort of leadership."

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Another grizzled veteran among United's ranks, Maguire has also boosted his chances of staying beyond this season. That's after The i Paper reported he's open to halving his salary in order to sign fresh terms.

Maguire, who turned 33 this month, is currently earning a healthy £190,000 a week at Old Trafford. However, The i have suggested he would be willing to accept a much more modest £100,000-a-week package if it meant he got a new deal.

It could be a wide move on United's part given the combination of not-yet-ripe talents and centre-backs unable to stay consistently fit. Matthijs de Ligt is struggling with a recurring back injury of late, while Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw have endured their share of extensive injury setbacks.

Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven have the potential to be United's pairing in central defence for years to come. However, the pair are still developing and need more experienced heads to rotate with before they're ready to take the reins full time.