The transfer window has closed so Manchester United won’t be signing any player from clubs now, but the same can’t be said for sales.
The window is still open in some leagues, like the Saudi Pro League, and that means if Manchester United want to shift some players, there’s still room to do so.
It seems like they’ve taken this opportunity with both hands if recent reports are to be believed, with another exit on the horizon.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Of course, United won’t be able to replace any outgoing players but the club are seemingly happy with their squad depth if they go through with it.
Christian Eriksen linked with free transfer exit
Christian Eriksen made a late appearance vs Liverpool in the 0-3 defeat but it’s an open secret that the Danish midfielder is one of the players United have made available on the market.
Eriksen himself has made no secret of the fact that he wants to play regularly, which is not going to happen at United, especially in the wake of Manuel Ugarte’s arrival and Kobbie Mainoo’s breakthrough.
As such, he has been linked to many clubs, with a homecoming to Ajax mooted as a serious option but that doesn’t look like it will happen.
Instead, Belgian outlet RTL reports that Eriksen is ‘very close’ to a free transfer exit from Old Trafford and coming to Anderlecht.
Anderlecht will undoubtedly be able to give him more regular first-team football and the pace of the Belgian league should also suit his game much better.
They are also in the Europa League, like United, so he won’t be taking a step down in terms of European competition either.
Furthermore, if United are sanctioning a free exit for a player who still has one year left on his contract, it can be assumed that it is a mutual agreement where they get Eriksen’s £150k/week wages off the books, and he doesn’t have to take a big pay cut as United forego a transfer fee.
A midfield conundrum
While Eriksen was surplus to requirements, it still leaves the Manchester United squad thin beyond the first-choice players.
Scott McTominay has also left, Casemiro’s best days are behind him, Mason Mount is more injured than available, and Toby Collyer is in his debut season.
As such, the decline in quality and dependability from the first-choice axis of Ugarte-Mainoo is massive.
Add to that Erik ten Hag’s lack of preference for regular rotation, and it could lead United to a situation where the first-choice pairing is run into the ground.
The effects of running players into the ground were visible last season when they started dropping like flies.
Mainoo has already played a lot of senior football since his breakthrough while Ugarte’s all-action style of play doesn’t lend itself to being reliably available.
Another promotion from the youth team might be in order since United can’t buy anyone now. A Dan Gore re-run, anyone?
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