Manchester United’s transfer window is already underway, and there are lots of twists and turns to come. How many can we see coming?
Almost a full month since the miserable 2024-25 season ended, Manchester United’s transfer window has begun to take shape.
There is a long way to go until the final deadline on September 1, but there are some signs already about how the window will pan out.
There will always be surprises, as United’s deal for Leny Yoro proved last season, but based on what we know so far, we have projected the big name incomings and outgoings, right down to when they will happen.
Matheus Cunha, already complete
Let’s rewind a little to start, in the interest of giving a complete picture. Manchester United have already signed one player, paying £62.5 million to land Matheus Cunha.
Cunha lifts United’s attack, bringing in a Premier League proven option who has already played in a system similar to Ruben Amorim’s formation.
The Brazilian could make a major impact for United, and is the club’s earliest signing since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
Bryan Mbeumo – to be done by early July
Manchester United are working hard to land Bryan Mbeumo, recently submitting an offer around £60 million for his services.
United want this deal to be done by the end of June, but there is a little more leeway available. A softer deadline is to complete the deal by time players return for pre-season on July 7.
Mbeumo has made clear he wants to sign with United, and this deal should get done next without a hitch.
Antony – out by mid-July
With money committed to two expensive buys, Manchester United need sales. And the simplest is expected to be Antony.
Antony was United’s best performing loanee in 2024/25, and he is keen to leave Old Trafford to restart his career, with the Red Devils wanting just over £30 million.
The Brazilian is ready to take a salary reduction to land his move away, and this could be done before United head on pre-season tour.
Alejandro Garnacho – out by late July
Manchester United also want to cash in on Alejandro Garnacho, who was among the losers from the Matheus Cunha deal.
By this point of course, Garnacho was already on the way out, blasted by Ruben Amorim after his post-Europa League Final outburst. His recent social media mistake wearing an Aston Villa shirt was a reminder that his head is elsewhere.
United will want to get this deal done by late July to free up more funds and even avoid having to take him on tour, and with clubs interested in Garnacho, there should be a good market for him.
Striker – signed by August
Manchester United still need to sign a centre-forward despite the attack-boosting additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
With funds generated from the sales of Antony and Alejandro Garnacho, United will be able to spend on a new forward by the end of August.
Viktor Gyokeres is one name discussed, although he is also considering Arsenal, who are also looking at Benjamin Sesko. Victor Osimhen is another high priced option for United, but the club could opt for cheaper alternatives.
Midfielder – signed by August
Manchester United are also looking at adding a new midfielder to the mix, and this we would expect to be a real wildcard.
We are expecting United to be looking in the £20-30 million range from a foreign club, one who will be specifically suited to Ruben Amorim’s style of play, to give him new options, and help eventually phase out Casemiro, who is into his final season of his contract.
Tyrell Malacia – out by start of the season
One of Manchester United’s forgotten players, Tyrell Malacia struggled to impress on loan at PSV despite ending up winning a league title.
There has barely been a rumour over an interested club yet, but we expect this to shape up by the start of the new season, with United selling for a fee in the £5-10 million range just to get him off the books.
Rasmus Hojlund – out by start of the season
With a new striker signed, Rasmus Hojlund will be ushered out the door by time the season begins, possibly stripped of his number nine shirt beforehand.
There is interest in Hojlund from clubs in Italy and Germany, but at this early stage of the window, clubs are not rushing to pay up. This should change by mid-August.
Andre Onana – sold by late August
Despite his intention to stay, a Manchester United exit for Andre Onana cannot be ruled out just yet.
Once work has been completed on the attack and midfield, we would not be surprised if there is a change in goal and United nudge Onana out the exit door.
Emiliano Martinez – signed by late August
There could be a ready-made replacement for Andre Onana in Premier League proven Emiliano Martinez, who is desperate for a move to Manchester United.
This is one we could see happening late on, once Martinez’s price has crashed towards the £20-25 million mark, if Villa become desperate to cash in.
A later move might suit United too, with Martinez suspended for the opening game of the season. Alternately, United could move for another goalkeeper to replace Onana.
Marcus Rashford – loaned ahead of the deadline
Marcus Rashford is desperate to get his move to Barcelona, and we expect he could be so eager to land his dream move that this one goes right into the final week of the window.
Manchester United may have to settle for a loan deal with an option to buy, if Rashford rejects all other alternatives.
But with sales in the bag for Antony, Garnacho, Hojlund and Onana, United could have enough in the bank for a Rashford loan not to be a total disaster.
Jadon Sancho – contract terminated at deadline
Jadon Sancho has been linked with moves to Turkish and Italian clubs this week, but there is reason to be very cautious about these reports.
Sancho turned Chelsea down due to his wage demands, snubbing the prospect of some stability and Champions League football. Chelsea chose to pay £5 million to United to cancel their ‘obligation’ to buy.
United fans would love to see Sancho’s contract terminated, and if Sancho keeps on turning down offers, we expect this could actually happen.
Rather than have him around Carrington, United could pay off his contract. Don’t be surprised if this goes down to the deadline, with the winger refusing to accept moves elsewhere.
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