Manchester United have a number of transfer decisions to make as they aim for a return to European competition in the 2026/27 season
Harry Maguire and Casemiro are both out of contract this summer(Image: Getty Images)
After a period of resurgence under Michael Carrick, Manchester United have Champions League qualification within their grasp. If they get over the line – or even if they don’t – some big decisions await in the transfer market.
Last summer, the club spent more than £200million to sign Matheus Cunha, Senne Lammens, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. They also managed to bring in money with the sales of Antony and Alejandro Garnacho, among others, while Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund are expected to leave permanently this summer after successful loans.
United already know Casemiro will leave in the summer, confirming the Brazilian won’t extend his current contract. Elsewhere, though, there are some question marks.
It would take a significant collapse for United to end up with no European football at all next season and more games would mean they need a bigger squad and that could also mean keeping players they might otherwise have offloaded. We’ve taken a look at who they should keep and who should make way.
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Senne Lammens – KEEP
The Belgian’s first season at Old Trafford couldn’t have gone much better, given the initial doubts over how ready he might be to step up as a first-choice keeper.
Altay Bayindir – SELL
The Turkish international has been unconvincing on the whole and an upgrade at backup goalkeeper could be necessary.
Diogo Dalot – KEEP
Dalot’s versatility at full-back makes him a useful squad player so he should stay if he’s comfortable being a back-up.
Noussair Mazraoui – SELL
On too much money and with too many injury concerns to justify keeping him on board, Mazraoui should be sacrificed to free up some wage budget.
Matthijs de Ligt – SELL
United have shown they can cope just fine without Matthijs de Ligt(Image: Getty Images)
One of United’s highest earners but a player who the club have shown they can cope just fine without, while at 26 he ought to still fetch a reasonable fee.
Harry Maguire – KEEP
Maguire has demonstrated his quality under Carrick and earned himself an extended stay at a time when his United career had looked all but done.
Lisandro Martinez – KEEP
Has had his injury worries but clearly improves the team with his talent and leadership when available.
Leny Yoro – KEEP
Still yet to fully justify his hefty transfer fee but there’s still plenty of time and he’s shown improvement.
Ayden Heaven – KEEP
Heaven has been forced to step in ahead of schedule and a loan might suit him well next term but there’s no chance of him being sold permanently.
Tyrell Malacia – RELEASE
Out of contract in the summer and with no chance of earning a new deal.
Patrick Dorgu – KEEP
Found a new gear this season and his versatility should prove a real asset next term.
Luke Shaw – KEEP
It might not be realistic to expect Shaw to effectively be an ever-present next term, given his career, but he’s absolutely worth keeping around – even if that’s as a rotation option when Patrick Dorgu returns to full fitness.
Casemiro – RELEASE
While some now want the Brazilian to stay, a clean break and a chance to leave on a relative high suits everyone.
Manuel Ugarte – SELL
An expensive bust, Ugarte will be sold at a significant loss but it’s hard to see a future for him at Old Trafford.
Kobbie Mainoo – KEEP
What a difference a few months makes. Mainoo has shown real quality to stay sharp during a run out of the team under Ruben Amorim and he’s part of the present and future.
Kobbie Mainoo has re-established himself in United’s first team(Image: James Marsh/Shutterstock)
Mason Mount – SELL
Too inconsistent with injuries to be kept around when extra games will only take further toll on the squad.
Bruno Fernandes – KEEP
There have been moments when selling Fernandes and rebuilding with the money raised looked like a viable call but his form in the second half of the season makes him tough to let go.
Amad – KEEP
Dropped off a touch after returning from AFCON but Amad’s form before December shows why he’s still valuable.
Bryan Mbeumo – KEEP
Mbeumo has slotted right in and ought to be a real asset in his first European campaign with United.
Matheus Cunha – KEEP
A solid first season from the summer signing, who has plenty more to offer going forward.
Joshua Zirkzee – SELL
The Dutchman still has high stock in Serie A and that should allow United to recoup some of what they paid for a man nowhere near a starting spot.
Benjamin Sesko – KEEP
Greater competition should help the summer signing, who has finally started to hit his stride under Carrick.
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The loanees
A number of senior United players have spent the season out on loan and most – but not all – should probably be offloaded. Rashford, Hojlund and Andre Onana all ought to bring in reasonable sums, while Jadon Sancho’s release will get his wages off the books.
Radek Vitek could benefit from being brought into the first-team group next term, as could Sekou Kone, but Toby Collyer could find himself surplus to requirements. Harry Amass’ situation is harder to predict, though another loan could suit United and the left-back as they decide what to do long-term.
Next season’s XI
Much will depend on whether Champions League football can be secured. This will determine the quality of player United are able to bring in, though we do have some idea of how things might look.
A new central midfielder to replace Casemiro is a must, with Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba among those linked in the past. Fewer names have been floated when it comes to upgrading at right-back but Borussia Dortmund star Julian Ryerson is one who could fit the bill.
An experienced back-up goalkeeper to keep Lammens progressing could be a wise pick up, while a second midfield signing for a potentially far longer season than this campaign could be required.
Man Utd 2026/27 XI: Lammens; New RB, Maguire, Martinez, Dorgu; New CM, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.
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