Man Utd transfer Q&A: Expected signings, deals that could still happen & possible exits

The 2023 summer transfer window has entered its final week, and there’s still plenty going on at Manchester United.

It’s been a mixed window for the Red Devils, who have added Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund, and managed to sell Alex Telles, Fred and Anthony Elanga, while David de Gea also departed on a free, plus several youth players have moved on.

But Erik ten Hag may have wanted more, ahead of a window where the Dutchman had hoped to oversee a major overhaul. A busy final week of the market could change the general opinion of the club’s summer work, and we’ve looked at five pressing transfer questions that will be answered before the 1 September deadline.

Is anyone close to signing?

There will probably be at least one new arrival in the form of Altay Bayindir, who is expected to sign from Fenerbahce and provide back-up for Onana. The Turk’s signing will likely see Dean Henderson depart, with Crystal Palace, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest all interested in the 26-year-old.

The Bayindir transfer is the only move that looks likely at this stage, although Ten Hag would ideally like to make a number of other additions in the market. However, before the Red Devils can afford to buy, they’ll have to sell some of the fringe members of the squad.

Who could still leave?

Selling has been a huge issue for United this summer - had departures been handled more efficiently it may have been a very different window. Yet, in the final week of the market, United are still left with several players who they would like to shift.

Eric Bailly and Donny van de Beek are expected to depart before the end of the month, as well as Henderson, but that still leaves Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial as three valuable assets United can’t seem to get off their books.

Maguire was close to joining West Ham United last week, although that deal fell through and the England international looks set to stay at Old Trafford. The Hammers are also keen on Scott McTominay, but the signings of Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse may have changed that, as well as the reported approach for Mohammed Kudus. As for Martial, he hasn’t attracted much interest from top European nations, and the most likely chance of him leaving could come from Saudi Arabia.

Mason Greenwood is, of course, another factor to consider in all this, and United hope to find the 21-year-old a new club before the transfer window draws to a close. Facundo Pellistri could also leave on loan in the next week.

Where would United like to strengthen?

Ten Hag would ideally like to reinforce a few areas of his team, particularly in midfield, where United have looked susceptible in recent weeks. There is still a chance Sofyan Amrabat joins from Fiorentina, but it’s a deal that looks less certain than it did a few weeks ago, and could be dependent on McTominay leaving.

Ryan Gravenberch is another option being explored by United, but if he joins that is more likely to be a loan move with an option to buy in 12 months’ time, a deal that would suit the Glazers if they are to sell up in the next year. United have also not totally ruled out deploying a similar approach for French international Aurelien Tchouameni, although he is expected to remain at Real Madrid beyond the transfer deadline.

Meanwhile, adding another centre-back and striker seems unlikely, even if Ten Hag would like both. Again, it will come down to departures, and if Maguire and Martial can be sold then there could be a different feeling, even if adding a midfielder remains a more likely option.

Would Ten Hag be happy with the current squad?

In truth, probably not. The Dutchman has grown frustrated with several behind-the-scenes elements at Old Trafford over the summer, namely how long the takeover saga has dragged on for.

The squad has definitely improved from last season, and the substitution of Onana for De Gea was primarily led by the United boss. Mount and Hojlund were also players approved by Ten Hag, but the ex-Ajax boss may be a tad frustrated that another centre-back, midfielder and striker weren’t signed, while he also wouldn’t be opposed to recruiting at right-back.

What about Jonny Evans?

The Northern Irish defender has provided an interesting subplot throughout this summer’s transfer window, and he joined United in July on a short-term deal that expires at the end of the month.

Ten Hag admitted last week that the club are in talks with Evans about signing a longer-term contract, and added he would like the ex-Leicester City man to remain at Old Trafford. United have always been open to the prospect of Evans extending his stay, and it could offer a cheap replacement for Maguire, if the Red Devils can find a buyer who will meet their asking price.