Zirkzee, Ugarte and one more: United's three players who could still leave before global windows close

Manchester United’s summer transfer window closed without resolving the futures of several unwanted squad members, yet the club retains a narrow path to further exits as transfer deadlines across Europe and beyond stretch into September.

Manager Michael Carrick reshaped the squad significantly this summer, bringing in midfielders Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba for a combined outlay exceeding £150 million, while goalkeeper Karl Darlow arrived on a free transfer. On the way out, Rasmus Hojlund triggered a £38 million move to Napoli, Radek Vitek joined Middlesbrough for £14 million and Toby Collyer moved to West Brom for £7.6 million. A further clutch of players — including Jadon Sancho and Casemiro — were released at the end of June.

Three players in particular remain in limbo as windows in Portugal (closing 5 September), Turkey (6 September), Saudi Arabia (6 September) and several other markets stay open.

Joshua Zirkzee is the most prominent name. The Dutch forward, signed for £36 million in 2024, has managed just nine goals in 75 appearances and attracted a concrete approach from Everton before United rejected the offer. Sporting CP and Fenerbahce are now the most credible destinations, with Napoli and Juventus having been linked earlier in the window before Serie A’s deadline passed.

Manuel Ugarte’s anticipated departure was derailed by a knee injury sustained while representing Uruguay. United had been seeking around £30 million for the midfielder, with AC Milan — where former United boss Ruben Amorim previously worked — among the interested parties. Juventus were also credited with interest, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, though the extent of that pursuit remains unclear given the Serie A window has now closed.

A third unnamed United player is also understood to be a candidate for a late move, with clubs in markets that remain open still exploring options.

The situation underlines how the end of the English window rarely marks a clean break for Premier League clubs, particularly those carrying large squads and high wage bills into the new season.