It was a night to forget for Manchester United as they prematurely exited the League Cup at the hands of League Two outfit Grimsby Town, who won after Bryan Mbeumo’s penalty struck the crossbar – and reports have now claimed the futures of seven of Ruben Amorim’s players are now in doubt as a result.
David Artell’s men were in dreamland as the clock ticked over the half-hour mark; Charles Vernam had opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before Tyrell Warren notched their second of the afternoon. United’s Andre Onana was culpable for both.
Mbeumo’s finish and Harry Maguire’s last-gasp header took proceedings straight to a penalty shootout – but it was the side from the fourth tier of English football who prevailed and Amorim is prepared to be ruthless ahead of the transfer window closing.
The Seven Man Utd Players Who Could Still be Sold This Summer
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim
Amorim – who himself is walking on thin ice walking into their impending meeting with Burnley – has already spent north of £200 million on the likes of Matheus Cunha, the aforementioned Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, while Diego Leon has also joined from Cerro Porteno.
Senne Lammens of Royal Antwerp is also expected to walk through the Old Trafford doors and a new midfielder – preferably Carlos Baleba, though Brighton & Hove Albion are refusing to sell – is also on the cards as Amorim looks to turn things around.
In terms of outgoings, there are a handful of players that could be on the chopping block. Alejandro Garnacho, ousted under Amorim’s tenure due to his poor attitude, is set to join up with Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea in a deal worth £40 million.
The Argentine winger is one-fifth of United’s so-called ‘bomb squad’, with Jadon Sancho – who has been linked with a host of teams around Europe including Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur and Besiktas – also ostracised by the current management.
AS Roma looks the most inviting destination for Sancho, who is one of the best-paid English footballers in the world. Antony finds himself in a similar situation. Signed for big money in 2022, he spent the latter half of last season on loan at Real Betis – and the Spanish side are working overtime to permanently sign him.
Amorim has a goalkeeping issue to sort – and Altay Bayindir, who has already played twice in 2025/26, could be offloaded before the window’s end, with Lammens’ arrival speeding up a potential departure for the Turk. Galatasaray are reportedly interested.
Rasmus Hojlund, too, could be off after Sesko became Amorim’s first-choice centre-forward upon his arrival from RB Leipzig. Napoli are reportedly leading the race for his signature on a loan with an obligation to buy around the £38.8 million mark. Tyrell Malacia, signed by Erik ten Hag, could also leave.
man utd rasmus hojlund
A sorry state of affairs given that he should be a celebrated Carrington alumnus, there is the possibility that Kobbie Mainoo could leave – albeit on loan – this summer. According to The Athletic, the club have denied his request for a temporary switch.
Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid and Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid both reportedly hold a concrete interest in the central midfielder’s very capable services, but whether either Spanish side can strike a deal before the trading period comes to a close remains to be seen.