Exclusive: Man Utd make transfer decision on midfielder with Newcastle among four clubs interested

Manchester United midfielder Ethan Galbraith is set to leave the club this summer, ManchesterWorld understands.

Galbraith’s contract at Old Trafford expires at the end of June and United have the option to extend his current deal by an additional 12 months. However, the club have decided against this and feel there is little chance of recouping a significant fee on Galbraith, whose wages would also increase with an extension.

Therefore, the Northern Irish youngster is set to walk away for free at the end of the season. ManchesterWorld also understands that Galbraith has attracted early interest from Premier League rivals Newcastle United, although the Magpies would send him on loan next season if the central-midfielder were to join the club.

While no concrete offer has emerged at present, Stoke City, Sunderland and Derby County are among those monitoring the situation, with Galbriath favouring a move that will see him play regular first-team football at this stage of his career.

The 21-year-old has spent this season on loan at League Two side Salford City, although it’s believed he is eager to play at a higher level next term. Galbraith has played 32 times for Salford this season and has scored four goals. The Northern Ireland international also spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Bradford City, where he made 36 appearances.

Galbraith joined United at the age of 15 and progressed through the youth ranks before making one senior appearance for the club when he came off the bench in a 2-1 Europa League loss to Astana in November 2019.

While Galbraith has always been well thought of at United, Kobbie Mainoo, Hannibal, Zidane Iqbal and Charlie Savage are ahead of him in the pecking order of young midfielders, hence why the club are willing to let him leave this summer.