MEN: Man Utd shouldn't renew Casemiro's contract; Maguire deserves to stay

According to Manchester Evening News, although Manchester United have tended to struggle without Casemiro on the pitch this season, Ruben Amorim was happy to hook him before the hour mark against Everton on Monday. Casemiro started poorly and didn't make a single tackle during his 58-minute appearance.

He looked like a 33-year-old, and the display was a reminder of why he shouldn't be given a contract extension. The fact that there has even been a conversation about whether Casemiro merits an extension (his current deal expires in June) is a credit to himself, but it would be a mistake to keep him beyond this season.

It's been great to see Casemiro make such a strong start to the campaign, but there were always doubts about how long he could sustain that level. After all, he has entered the winter of his career so it seemed unlikely he would be able to perform like that for the entire season.

Casemiro's performance against Everton was the kind of display expected from someone of his age. He looked pedestrian and struggled with Everton's physicality before the red card. There are bound to be more performances like that from Casemiro before the end of the campaign. And of course, there should be some more strong displays produced as well, but the point is that United need someone in that position who can deliver every week. They need someone younger.

Casemiro will celebrate his 34th birthday in February, and he is the highest earner in the dressing room, so United would make an Ed Woodward-esque decision by extending his deal. Those who have argued for Casemiro's contract to be extended have said he should be kept on reduced terms and given a back-up role, but this is a player who has won five Champions League trophies.

It seems unlikely Casemiro would accept a huge pay cut to sit on the bench in Manchester when the option of playing in his homeland - and still starting each game - could be on the table. Regardless, the option should be taken out of his hands. United need to move on and sign a replacement.

There was another contract lesson to be taken from the performance against Everton because Harry Maguire's absence was felt at the back. Thierno Barry won 14 aerial duels, the most by a player in a Premier League game this season, which wouldn't have happened with Maguire on the pitch.

Leny Yoro is an exciting prospect for the future, but he lacked aggression in several instances against Everton, and Maguire would have been the better choice had he been available.

Everton are a physical side and dominated aerial duels. United are guaranteed to be dragged into battles like that on a few occasions across a season, and Maguire is indispensable in those scenarios.

Maguire is out of contract at the end of the season, but it's logical for United to try to extend his stay at Old Trafford, provided he is happy to take a slight pay cut to continue at the club.

The England international does not earn as much as Casemiro, which should make it easier for a compromise to be reached between both parties, while his role in the squad wouldn't change much.

Set-pieces have become important again in the Premier League over the last two seasons and losing Maguire, who is more often than not imperious in the air, would be a huge blow.

Amorim recently said about Maguire's future: "We are really happy with Harry. It is not the time to talk about that again because that gives the idea that we are thinking so far away. We are really happy with Harry. He is a really important for us, but we need to focus on the next game."

The United boss was asked whether he was pleased with Maguire's renaissance and said: "Yes. I think it was good for him to play with the three centre-backs. I think he feels more comfortable.

"He doesn't need to go to the side so much. Sometimes, you help some players with the way you play. Sometimes, it is the opposite with some players. I am really pleased. I think he is not young, but he can learn a lot. He can improve. I think he can be so much better with the ball because he has that quality.

"He needs to show that. Nowadays, with the set-pieces that you see, the amount of men that you put in the box, every cross from the opponent, everyone is playing the pass."

Maguire's stock rose without him playing against Everton, while Casemiro's didn't do himself any favours.