Manchester United have been surprisingly quiet on the inward front this January compared to their record-breaking £150million spending spree during the summer, their business thus far consisting of nothing more than an accepted contract offer for the previously unattached Victor Valdes.
They’ve been considerably busier on the departures side of things however, securing loan moves for youngsters Ben Pearson, Sam Johnston and Will Keane and a permanent move for Michael Keane, who is now a full-time Burnley player.
And there’s plenty of speculation to suggest some more deadwood could be shifted before the end of the transfer window. With that in mind, here’s a list of FIVE players who could leave the 13-time Premier League winners ahead of the February 2nd deadline.
DARREN FLETCHER
Having already emerged as a transfer target for Celtic, West Brom, Valencia and West Ham, with the latter club currently leading the race for his signature, Manchester United midfield veteran Darren Fletcher looks almost certain to leave Old Trafford before the transfer window closes.
The 30 year-old is one of the most experienced members of the squad, being the only current United player to have lifted the FA Cup with the Red Devils in 2004, boasting 342 appearances for the Carrington club.
But Fletcher is still someway shy of the shin-shattering, all-action midfielder he was prior to his lengthy spell away from the game due to ill-health, and has gone on to see just 365 minutes in the Premier League since Louis van Gaal’s arrival in the summer. Rather tellingly, he’s not started a fixture since August and has since been stripped of the club’s vice-captaincy in favour of Michael Carrick.
With his contract set to expire in the summer anyway, United are prepared to let the Scotland international leave on a free this month. But there appears to be some dispute over the payment of his remaining wages – which is halting his expected move to Upton Park.
NICK POWELL
According to Mirror Football, Hull City are preparing a loan swoop for Manchester United’s centre-forward-come-midfielder Nick Powell.
The 20 year-old signed for United from Crewe Alexandra in 2012 but has since struggled to make a name for himself in the first team, registering just two Premier League appearances and spending the last 18 months on loan to Wigan and Leicester City.
Despite scoring seven times in the Championship last term, the England U21 saw just 40 minutes’ worth of Premier League action for The Foxes and now returns to Old Trafford six months earlier than expected, with his King Power loan stint cancelled by Nigel Pearson.
Not particularly favoured by Louis van Gaal, it’s unlikely the Red Devils boss would stand in the way of another loan spell, especially one offering top flight football.
ANDERSON
At this point, if pot-bellied midfielder Anderson were to join a club even in the ever-expanding Australian League on the other side of the planet, Louis van Gaal would be more than willing to drive him there personally.
In fact, reports in November claimed the Red Devils would cancel the Brazilian’s contract, at a cost of £1.4million, if he failed to find a suitor this month.
Fortuitously however, the Old Trafford outfit appear to have found a buyer for the £20million flop, who has gone on to make just 105 Premier League appearances in eight seasons with the Red Devils; never exceeding the 24 league outings of his inaugural campaign.
According to The Express, Brazilian side Internacional are prepared to take the 26 year-old off United’s hands, and even more miraculously, pay £2.5million for the privilege.
Due to his £45k per-week wage demands however, a lot of ground will have to be made between now and the end of the window. Per The Express once again, talks with five potential third-party owners are already underway to finance the deal.
ANDERS LINDEGAARD
Having already been told he’s free to leave Manchester United, Louis van Gaal certainly won’t stand in the way of reserve goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard joining another club this month.
The 30 year-old was purchased from Aelesund in 2010 to act as understudy to then-No.1 Edwin van der Saar, before providing competition for the coveted David De Gea.
In five seasons at Old Trafford however, he’s amassed just 29 appearances across all competitions and is yet to feature for the first team since Louis van Gaal’s summer arrival.
With three-time Champions League winner Victor Valdes now an official part of the United roster, the Red Devils won’t hesitate in letting the Danish international leave.
There appears to be some demand for his services too; FC Midtjylland launched a bid earlier this month but failed to meet United’s valuation, whilst Everton and Sevilla have been mooted as potential suitors by Here Is The City and The Express respectively.
BEN AMOS
In a near identical situation to Anders Lindegaard, Ben Amos has also been told that he’s free to leave Old Trafford, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The former England U21 has spent thirteen years with the Red Devils and despite only making one Premier League appearance for them, has also enjoyed productive loan spells with Peterborough, Molde, Oldham Athletic, Hull City and Carlisle United, racking up at career total of 61 competitive appearances.
He’s never quite muscled his way into United’s first team however and fell particularly afoul of Louis van Gaal during the Carrington club’s pre-season tour, after getting lobbed from 60 yards by Roma’s Miralem Pjanic.
With his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign, it’s believed the 24 year-old will be allowed to leave on a free transfer.
With the exclusion of Hull City however, linked by Sports Mole, viable suitors are currently thin on the ground.
