What Man United need in the transfer window: Top targets and players leaving before deadline day

Manchester United fans had hoped this summer transfer window would prove a roaring success, giving Michael Carrick a reinforced squad capable of building on his promising first few months in charge.

With less than three weeks left before deadline day, many supporters are disappointed.

United moved swiftly to address their problems in midfield, but what some had anticipated would be a complete overhaul of the middle of the team has instead turned into more circumspect, with uncertainty around any further additions.

There are also some concerns in attack and defence, plus the big question over what to do with Marcus Rashford.

However, it would be wrong to suggest United have made a hash of the window so far. Their spending, although limited, has been prudent, and there could yet be some fresh deals to come before the window closes on September 1.

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Man United summer 2026 transfers so far

United's two big arrivals to date are Andrey Santos from Chelsea, and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.

Casemiro left on a free transfer after his contract expired, but departures on loan or permanently have otherwise been limited. Rasmus Hojlund completed a permanent move to Napoli in June after a clause in his loan deal was triggered by virtue of their qualification for the Champions League.

Man United players in

Man United players out

What Man United need in the transfer window

United's most desperate need when the window opened was to improve a midfield that had been further weakened by Casemiro's exit at the end of his contract and a serious knee injury to Manuel Ugarte.

There was a desire to strengthen in attack, most notably on the left wing, although this was of secondary importance to the spine of the team. Similarly, a new centre-back would have been a bonus, rather than a real area of focus.

There remains some interest in a new left-back to compete with Luke Shaw, and to replace him in the longer term, but this too was subject to the movement of the market. Senne Lammens has the goalkeeper jersey locked down, and Karl Darlow's arrival as an extra back-up means they can sell others.

A new centre-forward to compete with Benjamin Sesko, who has a nagging leg injury, would leave United in a much stronger position at the start of the season, but again, any such deal looks like one that depends on how the market develops over the next couple of weeks.

In terms of departures, a few fringe players will be moved on either on loan or permanent transfers, while some youngsters could be sent out to get some game time in short-term deals.

Who are Man United's transfer targets?

Much to the frustration of supporters, United do not appear to be actively pursuing specific names at this stage of the window. Rather, the policy appears to be to wait for opportunistic deals.

It is known that bringing in a third midfielder would be welcome, but there is no obvious sign of such a deal happening. Carlos Baleba is still occasionally linked but would appear to be less of a clear-cut target now. Things can obviously change late in the window, but right now, United appear content to go into the new season with Santos, Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount as their options in central midfield behind playmaker Bruno Fernandes.

United are said to admire Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall, but the big outgoings from St. James' Park this summer — they have already sold Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, with Bruno Guimaraes set to join Arsenal — mean the Magpies do not need the money. The Red Devils would have to offer a sizeable fee to tempt them to sell Hall now.

Who could Man United sell?

A few players are available for transfer, either on loan or permanent deals.

Two goalkeepers look set to depart. Altay Bayindir is poised to join Celta Vigo on loan with a buy option, while Radek Vitek, who impressed on loan at Bristol City last season, is signing for Middlesbrough. Fabrizio Romano reported that Vitek will leave for an initial £7 million ($9.4 million), with the fee potentially doubling through add-ons, while United retain both a buy-back and a 35 per cent sell-on clause.

Joshua Zirkzee could also be on his way out. Talks are ongoing with Juventus, who are keen to bring the striker back to Serie A. United would prefer a straight sale or a loan with an obligation to buy, having paid £36.5m ($49.2m) for the Netherlands international two years ago.

United may listen to offers for youngsters Harry Amass, Toby Collyer and Ethan Wheatley, who are unlikely to get first-team football this season. Wheatley is said to be a target for Everton.

What's going on with Marcus Rashford?

It had seemed likely that Rashford would join Barcelona permanently after helping them win La Liga while on loan there last season. Instead, the Catalans chose not to take up the option to buy him for £26m ($35m) and signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle for well over double that price.

Rashford has rejoined United for preseason training and could be given a new opportunity to impress under Michael Carrick, with former head coach Ruben Amorim, who effectively removed the forward from first-team consideration, now gone. However, there is a sense that United would prefer to cash in on the player if a buyer can be found.

After a successful loan spell with Barcelona, should Manchester United keep Marcus Rashford at the club this summer? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/7ltfTdPUJF

Rashford certainly has admirers, but his reported weekly wage of £325,000 ($428,000) is too much for the vast majority of interested clubs to pay. The chances are he will need to lower his demands in order to secure a move to another team in England or a competitive side in one of Europe's top leagues, as his only options to match his current salary would likely come from Saudi Arabia or Turkey.

Right now, Rashford and United are at an interesting impasse. Both would be happy for the player to stay and see what he can offer in the first half of the season before considering options again in the January transfer window, yet it feels like a parting of the ways would still be the best way forward, both for Rashford's career and United's financial picture.