The transfer window is in full swing and there is a lot of movement down at Old Trafford with Manchester United experiencing a busy window so far. While Man United have already signed two players and three players have gone in the opposite direction, a lot more movement is expected at the club, with the new ownership insistent on clearing up the deadwood and freeing up funds. INEOS are committed to building a core group of youngsters to lead the Red Devils into a new era, which is evident from their two new signings, Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, both aged 23 and 18 respectively.
According to various reports, more departures are expected in the coming days, along with the arrival of new faces. Donny van de Beek has already been sold to La Liga club Girona after a challenging four-year stint at Manchester United, which can be described as disappointing. Additionally, academy graduates Willy Kambwala and Mason Greenwood have moved on to Villarreal and Olympique Marseille, respectively.
As Manchester United looks to streamline the squad, several players are reportedly on the brink of departure. These potential moves are part of the club’s strategy to rebuild under new ownership and clear space for new signings. The focus is on balancing the team’s composition, reducing wage expenditure, and aligning with a younger, more dynamic squad vision.
Casemiro
High on the probability list of those likely to leave is the Brazilian midfield juggernaut Casemiro. The 32-year-old arrived from Real Madrid in 2022 and instantly impressed in his first season at Old Trafford. Much was made of his age and his ability to adapt to the intensity of English football, but the defensive midfielder fit in seamlessly, excelling in his role. He provided stability to a position which had often troubled United in the past.
However, his second season at the club saw a sharp decline in performance as the midfielder found himself in and out of the team. The five-time UCL winner was often overrun in the midfield last season and did not justify the large sum of £375,000 he receives as his weekly wages. He was dropped for Sofyan Amrabat in the FA Cup final last season, and his time at United looked all but over. Casemiro has been included in the two pre-season games so far, and it remains to be seen if he departs this summer, with a move to Saudi Arabia reportedly on the cards.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Another player who is very likely to leave this summer is the English right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Arriving in 2019, he was highly rated as one of the best fullbacks in the league. Wan-Bissaka was the starting right-back for the next three seasons, before the emergence of Diogo Dalot under Erik ten Hag. While his defensive prowess is undoubtedly world-class, the 26-year-old has often been criticized for his lack of attacking output and his frailties on the ball going forward.
Erik ten Hag has often preferred Dalot to Wan-Bissaka for his offensive contributions, and Dalot has repaid the faith by improving in both areas last season. With just a year left on his contract, United may be tempted to sell him this summer to avoid losing him on a free, while Wan-Bissaka himself may leave in search of regular game time. The right-back is immensely talented, and there is no doubt he will not be short of suitors if he decides to pursue greener pastures.
Facundo Pellistri
The Uruguayan has failed to nail down a spot in the squad despite joining the Red Devils nearly four years ago, and after various loan moves, it seems as if Pellistri’s time at United will come to an end this summer. The tricky winger was signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2020 as a teenager, and he initially spent time in the youth setup, helping him adjust to the rigors of English football.
Almost two seasons after signing, Pellistri finally made his debut for United under Erik ten Hag in 2023, coming on as a substitute and assisting a goal. He then made various cameos off the bench, impressing fans with his quick pace, dribbling skills, and technique. However, despite the positive end to the season, he was shipped off on loan to Granada in 2024, spending the second half of last season in La Liga.
Playing time has been hard to come by for the 22-year-old, and Amad Diallo blossoming into a strong contender as a starter for the right-wing spot has made it even tougher. Various reports suggest that Greek club Panathinaikos is in talks with United to sign the young winger, and he is very likely to be on the outgoing list this summer.
Jadon Sancho
Before pre-season training started, Jadon Sancho was one of those who was guaranteed to leave Man United after falling out with manager Erik ten Hag at the start of the 23/24 season and being banished from first-team training and facilities. He then spent the second half of last season on loan with former club Borussia Dortmund and returned to United following the expiry of his loan. However, United fans were in for a surprise after the club announced that the 24-year-old winger would be joining the Red Devils’ pre-season tour and that the manager and player had buried the hatchet and moved on. Suddenly, he has started one game, and his move away looks less certain.
Rumors are still, however, rife about the Englishman moving on this summer, with clubs like Juventus and PSG interested. PSG is said to be the front-runner for his signature as of now, with United keen on signing Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte from the French club. A swap deal could well happen as both parties explore their options.
Victor Lindelof
Victor Lindelof arrived from Benfica in 2017 as a relatively unknown player and had a torrid start to life in English football at the heart of the United defense. Many had written him off after a tough first few months, but the Swede gradually settled in and adjusted well, becoming a regular and racking up more than 250 appearances for the Red Devils so far. However, he is currently the fourth-choice center-back behind the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, and Harry Maguire, and playing time will be difficult to come by.
Additionally, Lindelof, Maguire, and Evans are all over 30, and with INEOS keen on building a young team, the Swede remains the only defender who is expendable at the moment. United are said to be interested in bringing Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich to Manchester, which could mean the end of the road for the Swedish national team captain, who is entering his eighth season at the club.
Scott McTominay
The Lancashire-born Scottish midfielder has been a regular in the first team ever since he was handed his debut by Jose Mourinho back in 2017. Various managers have come and gone over the years, but they all have trusted him to play a part in their midfield. McTominay enjoyed his best time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, forming one half of the famous ‘McFred’ duo, and his tenacity and willingness to give everything for the badge have been praised by all.
He was reportedly on the verge of leaving the club last summer but stayed and ended up enjoying his best-ever season for the Red Devils, scoring 10 goals in the process. The Scot has found himself a fan in Erik ten Hag, with the manager terming him a ‘very good player’ and insisting on keeping him despite bids from clubs like Fulham and Galatasaray from Turkey. However, with Manuel Ugarte likely to arrive from PSG, McTominay may have to leave the M16 this summer to make room for the Uruguayan.
