Transfer deadline updates for Manchester United

Manchester United faces a busy transfer deadline as it weighs midfield reinforcements against selling players to fund deals.

United map seven deals before deadline

Manchester United have 13 days left in the summer window, with the club having spent more than £200 million in three of the last four summers. The deadline at 7pm on September 1 is expected to bring both incoming activity and exits as the club balances its spending with squad needs.

The piece outlines seven deals United could negotiate before the deadline. Potential midfield additions include Baleba, Ugarte and Palhinha, though the club is cautious about a record signing and may have to compromise. In goal, the hunt for depth continues behind Andre Onana, with Bayindir flagged as a concern. On the sale side, Garnacho, Sancho, Malacia, Antony and Hojlund are listed as potential departures, while Marcus Rashford is already on a season-long loan to Barcelona. United have yet to complete an outright sale of a first-team player this summer, and the market for exits remains uneven. Garnacho has drawn interest from Chelsea, the only bidder after other clubs passed. Antony’s value remains high but selling him would still require a sizable fee given his €100m move three years ago. Rashford’s loan deal adds to the pressure to fund new signings, and Hojlund is viewed as a candidate for a quick exit if the right offer comes in.

The deadline picture shows United trying to balance a high wage bill with an ambitious rebuild. The reliance on selling players to fund incomings creates a risk that the club could miss targets if the market turns or prices slide as the window closes. This pattern also tests Erik ten Hag's ability to align financial discipline with on-field ambition, a balance that will shape the club’s trajectory beyond the current season.

If the sales do not convert into meaningful upgrades, the window risks becoming a cautionary tale of chasing value over velocity. Fans and investors will be watching closely to see whether United can turn exits into a smarter, sharper squad or end up in a cycle of short-term fixes with long-term costs.

Highlights

The coming days will reveal whether United pursue a bold rebuild or recalibrate for stability.