Man Utd transfer state of play: Chances of deadline-day signing rated plus one exit expected

Manchester United head into the final days of the transfer window with a smaller squad than the one which began January.

There have been a number of departures during the mid-season market, in part due to a sense of alarm regarding United’s financial picture. The club last week announced first-quarter losses of £25.8m for the three-month period ending 30 September.

That’s in addition to the £28.7m lost last year despite posting record revenue, with income set to drop following United’s departure from the Champions League. That means it’s expected to be a low-key final few days of the window, before the 11pm deadline on Thursday 1 February. 

We’ve rounded up the latest transfer news ahead of the window shutting…

Will there be any Man Utd additions before the window closes?

That looks unlikely and club sources have informed ManchesterWorld that even a loan signing may not be feasible. That said, having moved on 11 players this window, there is more financial wiggle room for the club to invest in the squad.

Ideally, United would like to bring in a striker on loan. That was seen as the priority ahead of the window and Anthony Martial’s injury layoff has only exacerbated the situation. ManchesterWorld also understands that Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has some admirers at Old Trafford and was seen as the sort of stopgap player needed to fill the void in January. However, it appears unlikely that Bayern Munich will allow Harry Kane’s back-up to depart this month.

While United are not expected to make any additions before the window shuts, if a signing were to emerge, a loan move for a new striker remains the most likely option.

Will there be more Man Utd exits?

Facundo Pellistri has attracted interest from Granada and recent reports have suggested he will join the Spanish side on loan this window. The short-term departure of a few youth players is always a possibility but, other than that, it looks like it could be a quiet end to the mid-season market.

How will deadline day look at Old Trafford?

Even if there are no major incomings or outgoings, it will be a busy deadline day for United with the Red Devils travelling to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday in the Premier League. The game kicks off at Molineux at 8:15pm, meaning there will be less than an hour of the window remaining when the match concludes.

What business have Man Utd already done?

Despite the quiet end expected in January, it has been a busy month for the Red Devils so far, which began with Donny van de Beek heading to the Bundlesliga on loan. He was swiftly followed by Jadon Sancho joining Borussia Dortmund, before Alvaro Fernandez and Hannibal went on loan to Benfica and Sevilla, with both deals including options to buy next summer.

Youngsters Radek Vitek, Rhys Bennett, Maxi Oyedele, Dan Gore and Joe Hugill have completed loan moves to sides in the Football League, while Charlie McNeill returned from his spell at Stevenage.

Sergio Reguilon cut short his loan move and returned to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month, with the Spaniard subsequently joining Brentford on a short-term deal. The only permanent departure from United this month has been Mateo Mejia, who signed for Sevilla.