Manchester United have already set priorities for the January transfer window, where two unwanted stars are set to leave permanently, if the board can negotiate a sufficient deal.
Manchester United had a hectic summer transfer window; key signings were added, such as the promising Senne Lammens, and the attacking duo Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Departures were also made, freeing up the budget for those signings. Antony left the club after an underwhelming stint, as did Alejandro Garnacho. Andre Onana also left on a loan.
Ruben Amorim is carefully constructing his dream squad to fit his dynamic 3-4-2-1 system, which requires players to be fluid and mobile around the pitch.
Those players mentioned seemingly did not fit Amorim’s billing. Now two specific ‘unwanted’ stars are set to leave the club on a permanent deal, after impressing for their loan clubs.
Hojlund and Rashford set to leave United in 2026
Rasmus Højlund and Marcus Rashford have impressed so far for their loan clubs, consistently scoring and adding value to both Champions League sides.
Højlund joined Napoli on deadline day in the summer transfer window and has been nothing short of brilliant for Antonio Conte’s side. Scoring four goals in eight games, with two in the Champions League.
Napoli have the option to make that deal permanent, for a fee of around £39 million. This would allow for sufficient reinvestment for the Reds.
Rashford follows suit and has seemed to have found a new home in Barcelona, scoring six and assisting six in fourteen for Hansi Flick’s side.
There is also an option to buy in the English winger’s loan contract, totalling around £26 million, meaning United are hoping to receive up to £65 million for the pair in 2026.
United ‘willing to talk’ about deals
United’s stance on the situation for the two players has been made clear; the club is open to negotiating deals for both Rashford and Højlund, as both players are out of contention in Manchester.
United in Focus spoke to journalist Graeme Bailey, who has confirmed this: “I am told that United firmly believe that both players are going anyway, they don’t see any scenario where both are back at the club… hence both clubs willing to talk about January deals.”
Bailey believes the potential deals align with the club’s ambition, saying, “But United already believe, both deals represent very good value for Napoli and Barcelona, so why negotiate to any major extent?”
That said, a cash injection of around £65 million if both permanent moves are accelerated would allow the club to speed up the process of reinvesting in targets such as Adam Wharton or Carlos Baleba for the midfield, a position the club decided against bolstering in the summer.
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