Man Utd Transfer Deadline: Nine Players Face Potential Exit 2026

Key Points

• Manchester United is planning to lose many players in their team prior to the closing of the 1 September 2026 transfer window.
• The manager of the team Michael Carrick has revealed that the club will need further acquisitions but is also expecting many players to leave the team.
• Marcus Rashford has been retained by United even though the player has expressed his desire to move away from Old Trafford. Carrick is of the opinion that “Rashford is our player.”
• Players like Joshua Zirkzee, Toby Collyer, Ethan Wheatley, and Dan Gore are some who may be leaving the club.
• A total of fourteen players have already left Manchester United in this season with Casemiro, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia leading the pack.
• Bruno Fernandes has become the object of interest of Juventus, AC Milan and Galatasaray due to a £57m overseas release clause.
• Godwill Kukonki, Harry Amass and some academy players may be going depending on the availability of deals.
• The transfer window will close on 1 September 2026 at 11pm BST as a result of the UK Bank Holiday.

Manchester United FC (Manchester Mirror) August 17, 2026 – They are bracing for a busy final fortnight of the summer transfer window with as many as nine players potentially departing Old uk/local/trafford/">Trafford before the 1 September deadline, according to multiple reports from British media outlets. The club has already seen fourteen players leave this summer as manager Michael Carrick continues to reshape the squad following a significant clear-out of high earners and fringe personnel.

Which players are expected to leave Manchester United?

As reported by multiple journalists across British media, Manchester United have identified several players who could be sanctioned to leave before the window closes on 1 September 2026. The most high-profile potential departure is forward Joshua Zirkzee, who joined from Bologna just two years ago but is now nearing completion of an exit from Old Trafford, according to the Mirror’s analysis of the club’s transfer activity.

Midfielders Toby Collyer and Dan Gore have both been put up for sale by the Red Devils, with The Sun reporting that Gore is “almost certain” to leave on a permanent basis before the deadline. Young striker Ethan Wheatley is another academy product who would be allowed to leave, with Carrick having green-lit departures for a cluster of young players if suitable deals can be agreed.

Goalkeeper Matej Kovar has already departed to Middlesbrough on a permanent basis, while Ayodeji has joined Celta Vigo on loan with expectations he could be sold permanently afterwards, according to confirmed transfer reports from mid-August. Forward Ethan Williams has left permanently to League One side Peterborough United in what was described as a “sizeable” deal by FootballTransfers.

What is the situation with Marcus Rashford?

Marcus Rashford has returned to Old Trafford ahead of the 2026-27 campaign and currently looks set to remain at the club despite rumours suggesting he wants to secure a permanent exit, according to FootballTransfers’ report on 16 August 2026. Manager Michael Carrick has insisted that Rashford “is our player” despite the forward and club previously preferring him to depart, as reported by The Guardian on 13 August 2026.

As reported by Jonathan Smith of The Guardian, Carrick stated: “He’s our player and has trained really well. It’s been good to have him around the group again” when asked if Rashford will stay beyond the 1 September deadline. Relations have eased and Rashford is focused on working under Carrick, though the player’s preference remains to depart, according to the same report.

INEOS have sent a clear message regarding Rashford’s situation, with a switch within the Premier League virtually ruled out for the wantaway forward as the ownership group makes their transfer intentions clear, according to The People’s Person on 14 August 2026. This significantly narrows Rashford’s potential transfer destinations as the deadline approaches.

Which other players could depart before deadline day?

Bruno Fernandes faces transfer interest from Juventus, AC Milan and Galatasaray as his contract enters its final year, according to reports cited by CHOSUNBIZ on 13 August 2026. There is a one-year extension option but no agreement on a new contract yet, with a £57 million buyout clause available to overseas clubs, as previously reported by the BBC and cited in transfer roundups.

Young players Godwill Kukonki, Harry Amass and several academy prospects could depart if deals are agreed, according to the Express’s report on 12 August 2026 which noted Kukonki’s curious omission from a list of nine academy players awarded professional terms. Manchester United have officially awarded first-year contracts to nine academy players including Jacob Watson, Neithan Barbosa, Albert Mills, Louie Bradbury, Charlie Hardy, Cameron Byrne-Hughes, Jayden Ngwashi, Nathaniel-Junior Brown and Rafe McCormack.

Tyler Fredricson has ended his eight-year association with United by joining Lausanne-Sport on a permanent deal in Switzerland, according to the Mirror’s comprehensive transfer roundup on 12 August 2026. Altay Bayindir joined Celta Vigo on loan earlier in the window, while Andre Onana returned to Trabzonspor for a second temporary spell.

How many players have already left Manchester United this summer?

A whopping 14 players have left United this summer, including several big names on the wage bill, according to the Mirror’s detailed transfer analysis on 12 August 2026. Casemiro joined Inter Miami on a free transfer, taking £350,000 off the weekly salary output, as reported across multiple outlets.

Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Malachi Sharpe have all left upon the expiry of their contracts and are without a club for the time being, according to the Mirror’s report. Radek Vitek recently joined Middlesbrough, with reports claiming that an initial fee of £7m had been agreed, which could double if performance bonuses are met.

In terms of loans, Solomon Honor has moved to Southport, Sekou Kone has arrived at Lausanne-Sport, while Elyh Harrison headed north to spend the season at Greenock Morton. Sonny Aljofree has moved to Rotherham United on a free transfer, with James Bailey heading to Stockport County in a similar deal. Di’Shon Bernard and Ethan Galbraith have also been offloaded to Championship sides as part of the clear-out extending beyond wages.

What has Michael Carrick said about transfers?

Michael Carrick has stated that Manchester United will not make a £100m signing this summer due to their finances, according to The Guardian’s report on 13 August 2026. In the current window United have invested a total of £85m on Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos but have never spent £100m on a single transfer.

As reported by Sky Sports on 13 August 2026, Carrick says the club need more signings before the window closes on September 1, with United having signed Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow so far in the summer transfer window. Carrick has urged the club’s hierarchy to back him in the transfer market before the end of Deadline Day on 1 September, according to FootballTransfers on 14 August 2026.

The Red Devils have spent €102 million on Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Tynan Thompson so far this summer, in addition to the arrival of back-up goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a Bosman deal, but they remain interested in signing further reinforcements before the window slams shut. United prioritised the midfield to be addressed this window following Casemiro’s departure.

Background of the transfer window development

The summer transfer window in England generally shuts at the end of August but, due to a Bank Holiday in the United Kingdom on August 31, business will actually conclude on September 1 at 11pm BST, which is 6pm ET and 3pm PT for readers in the U.S., according to The Athletic’s transfer deadline guide. For players leaving English clubs, different times can apply depending on the destination league’s window closure.

Manchester United have maintained their summer momentum with six arrivals and 14 departures already confirmed as the club edges closer to the new Premier League season, according to FootballOnSight’s analysis on 12 August 2026. The clear-out extends beyond wages, with the club also moving to offload fringe players as Carrick prepares for his first full season in charge at Old Trafford.

The club remains interested in signing further reinforcements, with Manchester United reportedly among the clubs to have enquired about a possible summer deal for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, according to FootballTransfers on 13 August 2026. The 18-year-old has been heavily linked with a Parc des Princes exit and is keen to leave before Transfer Deadline Day in search of more regular game time.

Prediction: How will these departures affect Manchester United supporters?

These potential departures will significantly affect Manchester United supporters as the club continues its squad restructuring under Michael Carrick. The exit of multiple players, particularly if high-profile names like Bruno Fernandes or Marcus Rashford depart, could impact team chemistry and on-field performance in the early stages of the 2026-27 Premier League season.

Supporters may experience mixed emotions as the club balances financial sustainability with competitive ambitions. The departure of academy graduates like Ethan Wheatley, Toby Collyer and Dan Gore could disappoint fans who value youth development, while the potential exit of established players might raise concerns about squad depth. However, the wage bill reduction from departures like Casemiro’s £350,000 weekly salary could enable future investment in players more aligned with Carrick’s tactical vision.

The transfer activity will also affect supporters’ expectations for the upcoming season. With Carrick insisting the club needs more signings while simultaneously sanctioning multiple exits, fans will be closely monitoring whether the incoming reinforcements adequately replace departing talent. The success or failure of this transfer strategy will likely determine supporter sentiment throughout the 2026-27 campaign.