Dan Ashworth was in Monaco for the Europa League draw on deadline day (Image: Getty)
Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth admitted his phone was ringing off the hook on deadline day. Deals for Scott McTominay, Jadon Sancho and Manuel Ugarte eventually got done, but there remains scope for further agreements to be struck.
United were not able to shift all of the dead weight from their squad during England’s summer transfer window, but the market is open until Monday evening in countries like Saudi Arabia and Portugal, leaving the possibility of more exits on the table.
Furthermore, there is boatloads of attainable talent on the free agent market, including two players United have been linked to this summer. Here, Express Sport takes you through five deals which could potentially still get done…
Out: Lindelof, Eriksen, Antony
Victor Lindelof has dropped miles down Erik ten Hag’s centre-back pecking order following the arrivals of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt. The Swede was recently linked with a host of European clubs and, crucially for United, the Saudi Pro League.
Moving Lindelof to the Middle East could be the Red Devils’ last chance to bank a fee for the 30-year-old before his contract expires next June.
Like Lindelof, Christian Eriksen is set to struggle for game time if he stays at Old Trafford this season. Ten Hag has recruited Ugarte to beef up the base of his midfield, which already contains Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo.
Victor Lindelof could still leave Man Utd despite the English transfer window closing (Image: Getty)
Ajax have reportedly shown interest in bringing Eriksen back to the Netherlands, where the transfer window remains open until Monday night. Any swoop could be met with resistance from Ten Hag, however, as he is said to have blocked an approach from Real Betis on deadline day.
That approach also included an enquiry into taking Antony on loan. Ten Hag intervened as he reportedly wants to keep the Brazilian as one of his four main wide options, but United chiefs could take matters into their own hands if a lucrative Saudi offer allows them to recoup most of the £84million they paid to Ajax two years ago.
In: Rabiot, Hermoso
Adrien Rabiot’s last competitive game was at Euro 2024, where he was a regular in France’s ultra-talented midfield. The summer transfer window has come and gone, and he is yet to be snapped up.
Rabiot, who left Juventus at the end of June, has previously been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with well-publicised talks taking place in 2022. Though United seem to be all set for midfielders, the opportunity to sign one of their long-standing targets for free is still up for grabs.
Mario Hermoso is also available following his departure from Atletico Madrid. Ten Hag and co. were rumoured to be eyeing up the 29-year-old defender earlier this summer, though they will need to act quickly if a deal is still in their crosshairs, as Roma and Galatasaray are ready to pounce.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1942718/man-utd-news-victor-lindelof-antony-christian-eriksen