Jadon Sancho leaves, plus two departures, and two arrivals: Manchester United’s remaining transfer window to-do list
Manchester United have signed four players so far in this window and sold many too, but nobody is mistaking this to be the end of the window.
For starters, there is a defensive midfield-shaped hole in the Manchester United squad as currently constructed which will be filled before the end.
From there, it should be a case of optimising around the edges to get the squad, more than the first XI, in better shape for a rigorous campaign ahead.
Here’s the to-do list of things United need to accomplish as the transfer window ticks to a close-
Jadon Sancho’s sale
Get the obvious and biggest one out of the way first with Jadon Sancho’s transfer. His reintegration into the first team was short lives and after being left out of the first two matchday squads completely, the writing was on the wall.
Sancho has reaffirmed his desire to leave, Erik ten Hag clearly doesn’t fancy him, United now have options on the wings, and there is interest in the player.
Juventus lead the race but his salary is a stumbling block. That should ultimately be sorted, even if United have to take a financial hit in the process. They can’t afford to get sucked into the sunk-cost fallacy and hold onto him.
Expect him to be in a different club’s kit on September 1.
A midfield overhaul
An overhaul of the department with less than a week to go till the end? Sounds big, but recent developments suggest it is already far along the way.
Manuel Ugarte’s arrival looks like a matter of when, and not if, at this point. A bid for Scott McTominay was rejected by United but there seemed to be a real desire from Napoli to get it done, while McTominay is not averse to it either.
The desire eventually resulted in a breakthrough, as Manchester United accepted Napoli’s bid for Scott McTominay in the region of nearly £25.5 million plus a percentage of future sale.
United have seemingly agreed to commit to a permanent transfer for Ugarte instead of an initial loan, in which case McTominay’s departure is extremely crucial.
That potential £125 million boost to the coffers will be useful for getting additional midfield reinforcements, especially if Christian Eriksen’s transfer materialises late.
Don’t rule out a move for Sofyan Amrabat on a nominal fee if that happens. United have reportedly ended their interest for now but that’s a move that can happen till the very last hour of the window.
This season’s loan army
So far, United have only sent three players out on loan, with one of them being Tom Wooster to non-league team so not many expect him to be a bonafide future first-team player for United.
Joe Hugill and Radek Vitek are the other two. Hugill hasn’t set the world alight on loan but even still, it would be a huge surprise if that on-loan figure stands at three on September 1.
Toby Collyer will presumably be given first-team minutes so that leaves Hannibal Mejbri free to move. Burnley have registered an interest in Mejbri and if they come with a loan+obligation offer, United should take it with both hands.
Then there are players who don’t have an opening in the first team now but are far too good for U21 football. Vitek and Hugill were two but the likes of Sonny Aljofree, Sam Mather, and James Scanlon are in the same boat as well.
They have signed new contracts at the club but it is likely to protect their value to send them on loans to assess their development.
Expect United to sanction at least three to four more loans between now and September 1.
Ideal end to the window
Between now and September 1, these should be the ins and outs-
In- Manuel Ugarte, Sofyan Amrabat
Out- Jadon Sancho, Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay
Loan- Sonny Aljofree, Sam Mather, James Scanlon, Rhys Bennett, Habeeb Ogunneye
Full-time promotion to senior team- Ethan Wheatley, Toby Collyer, Harry Amass
