The Red Devils still have plenty of work to do on their squad.
Manchester United U21 v Leicester City U21: U21 Premier League
JJ Gabriel is expected to leave Man Utd (Image: Getty)
Manchester United certainly wouldn’t have expected their season to have started the way it has. With one of the kinder Premier League fixture lists on offer, the Red Devils have just five points from their first five matches.
It has led to pressure building on Michael Carrick’s shoulders already, with suggestions the coach could be relieved of his duties if results don’t improve drastically. On top of that, there is already talk about the work United need to do in the summer 2027 transfer window.
They will likely have already lost teenage sensation JJ Gabriel by the time that rolls around, but who are the other United players on the chopping block? Express Sport have picked out six more United players who the club ought to let go between now and the start of next season.
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Left-back is clearly an issue for United. Luke Shaw shouldn’t be the club’s starting option in 2026, and his contract expires at the end of the season, making an exit likely. It’s expected United will go out and target Lewis Hall as the Englishman’s replacement.
On the topic of left-back, it isn’t clear whether Patrick Dorgu is a defender or a left-sided attacker. It underlines the need for United to reinforce that position and as a result, it could spell the end for the Dane.
It was expected Joshua Zirkzee would depart in the recently closed summer window, but for one reason or another, he stuck around. There has been the occasional cameo appearance for Zirkzee this season, but it’s clear he isn’t in Carrick’s first-choice plans. His days at United are numbered and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s gone in January.
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Fulham v Manchester United - Premier League 2026/27
Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire could both be on the chopping block (Image: Getty)
Unfairly criticised at points during his United career, Harry Maguire is somewhat of a cult hero at Old Trafford. But the defender will be 34 years old come the start of next season, and with his contract also coming to an end, it is time United part ways and look to the future at centre-back.
Who knows what might have happened with Manuel Ugarte this summer had he not picked up a long-term injury. However, his United move hasn’t gone to plan since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain for £50m, and it is likely he leaves in the next couple of transfer windows.
And finally, take your pick between one of Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui, with United also said to be eyeing up new talent in the right-back department. If they do go out and sign a right-back, it can be expected one of Dalot or Mazraoui will leave the club. Perhaps Dalot, after over 250 appearances, may be the one to go.