This season's Rashford: Man Utd talent looks "increasingly likely" to leave
Manchester United’s business in the transfer market in the summer of 2025 will potentially be remembered as one of their best windows in recent history.
Ruben Amorim has spent around £200m on new additions within his front three, with such additions already making an immediate impact at Old Trafford.
Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko were the three signings made by the hierarchy, with the latter being the most expensive at a staggering £74m including add-ons.
The trio have already had a say in nine of their 15 Premier League goals in 2025/26 to date, as Mbeumo sits top of the Red Devils’ goalscoring charts with his total of four goals in nine outings.
Such form has led to serious doubt being cast over the futures of numerous players already within Amorim’s ranks, which could lead to numerous exits during the upcoming January window.
Players who look set to leave Man Utd in January
Over the last couple of days, rumours have been swirling over the future of multiple players, with midfielder Manuel Ugarte just one United player who could be edging closer to the exit door.
The Uruguayan international joined in a £50m transfer from PSG last summer, which led to huge expectations being placed on his shoulders to end their hunt for a new ball-winning option.
However, the 24-year-old has fallen down Amorim’s pecking order, only starting two league outings in 2025/26, leading to rumours over a winter move to join Turkish outfit Galatasaray.
He’s not the only player who appears to be moving closer to the exit door, with forward Joshua Zirkzee another Red Devil who has struggled to nail his starting role down this season.
According to CaughtOffside, the Dutchman is now “increasingly likely” to depart Old Trafford after featuring for just 82 minutes this season – only a year on from his £36m transfer to join the club.
The report states that the 24-year-old will allow the former Bologna talisman to depart in the coming months, but will be looking to recruit the majority of their investment back.
It also confirms that the player himself wants to depart to gain valuable first-team minutes to help improve his standing in the national setup ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
However, such a decision could come with a risk, especially given the examples that have unfolded in front of Amorim’s eyes over the last couple of months.
The United star who could become this season’s Rashford
Before Amorim’s arrival at United, attacker Marcus Rashford was seen as a key member of the first-team squad, arguably being one of the most threatening options within the final third.
The England international has racked up 138 goals for the Red Devils during his nine years in the first-team, but it rapidly became apparent the 40-year-old wasn’t keen on the academy graduate.
Despite starting and scoring in the manager’s first game at Ipswich Town, the 27-year-old was excluded from first-team training – subsequently joining Aston Villa on loan for the second half of 2024/25.
Rashford registered four goals and five assists in his 17 appearances before linking up with Spanish giants Barcelona during the recent window – once again producing the goods away from Old Trafford.
He’s already notched 10 combined goals and assists in his 13 appearances, with such a decision arguably one of Amorim’s worst during his near 12-month tenure with the Red Devils.
However, he could be about to make another huge mistake in sanctioning Zirkzee’s exit, especially if the Dutchman can replicate such form before his move to England.
The 24-year-old scored 12 times and registered six assists in his 37 appearances prior to his switch to Old Trafford – even managing to impress in glimpses last campaign.
Zirkzee scored twice in Amorim’s second game in charge of the club back in December 2024, with his contributions in the clash with Everton just one example of the talent he possesses in the final third.
Other outings against Lyon and Real Sociedad in the Europa League showcased his ability to provide the goods in key moments – subsequently helping the Red Devils reach yet another European final.
Games played
32
Goals & assists
4
Pass accuracy
72%
Shots taken
1.8
Chances created
0.8
Dribble success
38%
Aerials won
29%
Times dispossessed
2.8
Whilst it still remains unclear what the attacker’s best position is, even describing himself as a 9.5, he still managed to rank highly in numerous areas during the club’s dismal 2024/25 season.
Zirkzee ranked in the 82nd percentile for possession regained in the final third, whilst also completing the most passes per 90 of any forward in the first-team ranks.
Such numbers showcase his tireless effort out of possession, before firing the killer pass to a teammate – subsequently allowing him to pick up two assists across all competitions.
There’s no doubt his tally of five goals in 49 appearances was way below the expectations of the supporters, but Zirkzee desperately needs to be cut some slack by the manager.
Such a year was his first in England’s top-flight, but it’s evident that the manager has made up his mind with the forward, as seen by his tally of 82 league minutes in 2025/26.
Allowing him to leave could once again come back to bite them, potentially following the same route as Rashford and thriving in Europe after departing the Red Devils.
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