What Man Utd fans can expect on transfer deadline day as chances of signings & exits explained

Transfer deadline day tends to be one of the busiest days of the Premier League season, but after a quiet window, a flurry of late moves is not expected on Thursday.

The window shuts at 11pm on 1 February and Manchester United fans will be hoping for some last-minute additions to help the struggling team in the second half of the season. For the Red Devils, there’s the added complication of a Premier League clash on Thursday.

United face Wolverhampton Wanderers in an 8:15pm kick-off, meaning that by the time the game ends at Molineux there will be less than an hour left of the window.

But what can United fans expect on deadline day? We’ve rounded up all the key information on the final day of the winter window.

Will Man Utd make any deadline-day signings?

That looks highly unlikely and United have always insisted that arrivals are not expected this month. In fact, Erik ten Hag said in an interview on 7 December that he felt January signings would be unlikely and, so far, no-one has come through the door.

Nevertheless, United have never explicitly ruled out any incomings, and Marcel Sabitzer’s arrival on deadline day last season came completely out of the blue. 

But this season feels different. United have a relatively fit squad, are facing a reduced fixture list in the second half of the season and there is still a sense of uncertainty around the club until Sir Jim Ratcliffe is officially in charge and making decisions. But the club’s financial outlook is the biggest factor in why signings look unlikely.

Any form of permanent transfer is almost certainly off the cards and the only hope would be for a short-term loan. A striker would be the key area where United would like to strengthen, but even that looks difficult.

Why are finances so tight?

United have overspent so far under Ten Hag, who has not wisely invested over £400m during two previous summer windows. United also recorded a loss of £28.7m last season and last week announced first-quarter losses of £25.8m for the three-month period ending 30 September.

It’s a concerning picture for United, who like several Premier League sides are wary of Profit and Sustainability Rules. Everton’s harsh punishment has sharpened the focus of teams about the dangerous of falling foul of the laws.

Will anyone leave Man Utd on deadline day?

There’s always a chance that some youth-team players could leave - Logan Pye joined Burnley out of nowhere in last summer's deadline day - but it’s unlikely there will be any major departures this time.

The only player being discussed as a potential outgoing is Isak Hansen-Aaroen, with Werder Bremen linked with a permanent move for the 19-year-old midfielder.

United have already seen 11 players leave the club this month as they attempt to cut down on the wage bill. Radek Vitek, Rhys Bennett, Alvaro Fernandez, Maxi Oyedele, Dan Gore, Donny van de Beek, Hannibal, Facundo Pellistri, Jadon Sancho and Joe Hugill have all gone out on loan in January, while Mateo Mejia signed for Sevilla in a permanent deal.