Kobbie Mainoo stays, two signings and four exits

Kobbie Mainoo stays, two signings and four exits - Man United's dream end to the transfer window

The summer transfer window will close at 7pm on Monday evening, and Man United still have plenty of work to do between now and the bell sounding.

Carlos Baleba (left) and Kobbie Mainoo are generating plenty of attention. (Image: Eddie Keogh/Getty Images.)

Manchester United are running out of time to finish shaping their squad for the 2025/26 season.

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The summer transfer window will officially close for business at 7pm on Monday evening, meaning the clock is ticking for United in their quest to bring new faces in and offload those who do not feature in head coach Ruben Amorim's plans.

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With just a few days of the window remaining, United have enjoyed a relatively successful summer thus far, bringing in four new faces, three of whom have been drafted in in the hope of transforming their attack. Matheus Cunha has arrived from Wolves, Bryan Mbeumo has checked in from Brentford and Benjamin Sesko has been signed from RB Leipzig.

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However, there is no doubt other areas of the team still need strengthening before the bell. Analysing both possible incomings and potential outgoings, MEN Sport has had a close look at what United's main aims should be between now and the deadline.

Lammens checks in

Determined to sign a goalkeeper ahead of the window closing, Royal Antwerp shot-stopper Senne Lammens is looking increasingly likely that he could be the latest addition to the club's goalkeeping department.

Linked with a move to Old Trafford earlier this year, the Belgian, 23, was left out of the Antwerp squad for their 2-1 win over K.V. Mechelen at the weekend as the Belgian club did not want to run the risk of him encountering an injury and scuppering the prospect of them being able to generate a cash sale for him.

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United boss Amorim has wanted to add a goalkeeper throughout the summer to increase the level of competition between the posts. Altay Bayindir has started the Reds' opening two Premier League games despite supporters' reservations about him.

Andre Onana did little to boost his chances of reclaiming the starting gloves against Grimsby Town in midweek, meaning Lammens could find himself immediately installed as the club's No.1.

Keep Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo's future at United is shaping up to be the biggest talking point heading into the closing stages of the transfer window. No progress has been made on contract talks between him and the club, meaning an exit ahead of the deadline cannot be dismissed.

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Kobbie Mainoo's future has been plunged into doubt. (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)

He has not featured for United in the Premier League so far this season, failing to make it off the bench against Arsenal and Fulham, meaning it would be understandable if the midfielder was to push for an exit.

However, having demonstrated just how talented a player he is, it would be a real shame for United if they were to lose him. Amorim should be finding a way to include a player of his talent in his plans.

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Almost every United supporter would be gutted if he were to leave after making such a sharp rise to the first-team in the last two years.

Hojlund departs

As reported by the Manchester Evening News on Tuesday night, Napoli are closing in on the signing of striker Rasmus Hojlund. The United forward is poised to join the Italian club on a season-long loan with an obligation for them to sign him on a permanent basis.

Hojlund was left out of the matchday squad against Arsenal, Fulham and most recently Grimsby.

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Clearly not part of Amorim's plans, it would make little sense for United to retain him, particularly after such a regressive season last term. He has proven he is not good enough to spearhead United's attack and he is need of game time with the World Cup less than a year away.

Rasmus Hojlund is set to leave Old Trafford. (Image: Michael Reaves - Premier League/Getty Images for Premier League.)

United paid over the odds for the Dane two years ago and they have paid the price for that mistake. It will be in everyone's best interests to go their separate ways at this juncture.

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Midfielder arrives

Whatever happens in relation to Mainoo's future, United need a midfielder. They lack athleticism in the middle of the pitch, likewise a player that can compliment Bruno Fernandes' qualities.

Following the addition of Cunha, Fernandes is set to play the bulk of his football as a No.8 this season, meaning he needs a regular partner. Amorim has said Mainoo is competing with Fernandes for the same role, suggesting he has no plans to play them alongside each other.

United need a midfielder who can do a little bit of everything, meaning Brighton & Hove Albion ace Carlos Baleba, who has been of interest to United recently, would be a suitable choice. However, it is hard to imagine them being able to sign him before the end of this window.

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Nevertheless, they need to find a suitable midfielder from somewhere.

Bomb squad exits

After Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona last month, United supporters hoped further departures from bomb squad group would follow. However, at the time of writing, Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony all remain United players.

Fortunately, it is looking increasingly likely Antony will depart, re-joining Real Betis. It also feels inevitable that Garnacho will move to Chelsea.

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However, there is currently a lot less certainty about United's chances of shifting Malacia and Sancho. Deals to take those two away from Old Trafford might go right down to the wire.

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