With exactly two weeks until the January transfer market opens, at least five Manchester United first-team players are rumoured to be considering a move away from the club, either permanently or on a loan basis.
Some of them looking to stay and others have a doubtful future. We’ll look at the chances of each of those changes happening in this post.
Paul Pogba: He will stay
From a footballing standpoint, it makes sense for Pogba to stay until the end of the season, but from a financial standpoint, the January window is United’s last chance to recuperate any transfer fee for him.
However, the only two teams left in the race for his signing, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, have both been said to have ruled him out this week. Juve is reportedly delaying the sale due to an ongoing tax evasion probe, while PSG’s head of football, Leonardo, has stated that the club would not be trying to sign anyone in this window.
Must Read: FC Barcelona rejects Mino Raiola’s offer to sign Paul Pogba
Edinson Cavani: He will leave
Cavani’s chances have been shattered by Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival, and he has been whining about his lack of playing time, though to be fair to United, the player has already ruled himself out injured for the majority of the season.
With Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick not ready to play Cavani due to his injuries, Barcelona is planning to make a move for Edinson Cavani as their own striker Sergio Aguero announced retirement a few days back. It appears that the Uruguayan will be heading to Spain at the earliest opportunity, with perhaps a couple of million thrown at United to cushion the blow.
Anthony Martial: He will stay
Martial’s agent has stated that the French striker wants to leave in January, and it appears that Juventus, Atletico Madrid, PSG, and Newcastle are all interested in signing him.
The Frenchman, on the other hand, is in a little different situation than Cavani: he has a contract with United until June 2024, with an option for another year, and he is 26 years old, approaching his prime years.
All of this means United will want a high price for the player, with a report this week estimating a minimum of £30 million. This may not be an issue for Newcastle, and there has been speculation of a player swap with Atletico Madrid.
But there’s another issue: if Cavani leaves, will Ralf Rangnick allow another centre-forward to depart the club in the middle of the season, leaving only Cristiano Ronaldo and Mason Greenwood as recognized strikers? Most likely not.
Jesse Lingard: He will leave
Lingard would already be a West Ham player if United hadn’t been so greedy in demanding a £30 million transfer price last summer, which the Hammers couldn’t afford.
With six months left on his contract and the player had yet to kick a ball this season, whatever the Reds can get for him now will be preferable to nothing.
There has been a demand for the 28-year-old from all across Europe, but it appears that a Premier League club will get his signature. The greatest money is likely to be offered by Newcastle, but will Lingard risk joining a relegation-threatened club? West Ham is still keeping an eye on the situation, while Everton is also rumoured to be interested. It appears that Jesse will be on his way this time.
Donny van de Beek: He will stay
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it seemed nearly clear that the Dutchman would leave in January. However, all evidence is that Ralf Rangnick will rotate the team more, which might and should give Van de Beek a better chance to earn a more consistent starting spot.
Donny, like Martial, has a long contract and a likely higher market value than would be offered in the current atmosphere
There’s still a chance United may try again for Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier next month, and if that doesn’t work out, José Mourinho is said to be interested in signing his countryman for the second time.
Phil Jones: He will be loaned out.
Jones has returned to action after an almost two-year layoff due to injuries. However, with four centre-backs ahead of him in the pecking order, his chances of gaining playing time appear to be slim.
Given his age and injury history, it appears unlikely that many teams will match his £75,000 per week pay, therefore a loan agreement is more plausible. So it’s more likely that he’ll stay and fight for his spot in the club for at least the next six months.
Diogo Dalot: He will stay
A similar narrative to Van de Beek’s, only Dalot appears to have already established his spot in the starting lineup over Aaron Wan-Bissaka following a string of impressive performances.
This would also him to demonstrate his fitness, allowing United to fetch a higher price for him if he were to go permanently in the summer.
Must Read: Diogo Dalot: One of the most improved performers under Rangnick
Dean Henderson: He will be loaned out.
Henderson might be permitted to move on loan at this point, with Tom Heaton capable of filling in for the in-form David de Gea in goal, but it seems unlikely he will be transferred permanently. His new contract pays him £100,000 per week, which, when combined with the transfer fee United is expected to pay, makes him a costly acquisition for any club.
Juan Mata: He will stay
Reports of a return to his parent club Valencia have surfaced recently, but there have also been talks of Mata staying at Old Trafford and transitioning into coaching when he retires.
He’d also have to accept a pay cut to join Los Che, as the club’s financial difficulties mean they’d only be able to offer him about a third of his present £160,000-a-week agreement. While his contract only has six months still to run, it appears more likely that he will complete it, especially as a backup if Jesse Lingard, who plays in the same position, leaves.
Amad Diallo: He will be loaned out.
Last season, it appeared as if Amad would explode at Old Trafford, but an injury at the start of this season prevented him from securing a loan transfer, and in the few opportunities he has had since his return, he has failed to reach the heights anticipated of him.
With Feyenoord still keen on a loan and a slew of other clubs interested, it looks like the Ivorian will be loaned out in January.
