Manchester United push to offload five players before deadline

Manchester United aim to move five players before the transfer deadline on September 1.

Manchester United seek to offload five players before deadline

Manchester United are trying to move five players before the transfer deadline on September 1. Garnacho is linked with Chelsea, Sancho discussions are ongoing with Roma on a loan that could become a £20 million obligation to buy next year, Antony is connected with Real Betis, Tyrell Malacia has drawn limited interest, and Rasmus Hojlund is expected to leave after the arrival of Benjamin Sesko. Marcus Rashford has already departed, leaving a reduced immediate pool for the season. Chelsea remain the front-runners for Garnacho, while Roma have explored Sancho on loan with an optional future buy. The Brazilian Antony is tied to Betis, but the Spanish club faces financial hurdles to fund a permanent deal, and Hojlund’s exit would follow the signing of Sesko, with Milan among potential destinations. The summer window closes at 7pm on September 1.

Agents and managers have signaled openness to further moves, including a Saudi option for Antony and continued interest from AC Milan in Hojlund, though exact terms and personal deals remain unsettled. United would need to sell Antony for £32.8m to avoid a PSR loss, and new wage demands have complicated talks across several targets. The market dynamics show a need to balance financial rules with squad planning while navigating competing clubs’ timelines and budgets.

Deadline pressure exposes how big clubs balance talent, wage costs, and long-term plans. United’s approach shows they want market value preserved for Garnacho while weighing Sancho and Antony against wage constraints and potential future profits. The possibility of Saudi interest and the PSR rule underscores how financial discipline shapes even ambitious transfers. The window also highlights a broader trend: clubs use deadline day to adjust balance sheets as much as rosters, with fans watching for clarity amid a noisy market.

This moment also tests the club’s patience and recruitment strategy. If Hojlund leaves before a successor is secured, United risk sacrificing short-term depth for long-term fixes. The comments from Milan and the agent on Antony hint at a market that rewards flexibility but punishes rushed, mispriced deals. In the end, the clock may prove as decisive as the players’ willingness to move.

Highlights

The next 24 hours will reveal how United balance value, wages and ambition.