The January transfer deadline day is here, and clubs around England and Europe are rushing to finish negotiations and sign contracts before the deadline slams shut at 14:00 EST.
The January transfer window is always sonmewhat quieter than the summer tranfer window, as teams are less likely to part with players in the middle of the season, and many clubs do not want to mess with the squads they have built from the start of the season. For Manchester United, January has been quiet.
United often conduct minimal business in January. Last year their only piece of major incoming business was the signing of Patrick Dorgu from Lecce, but prior to that, their last permanent first team signing in January was Bruno Fernandes in January 2020.
United do often conduct outgoing business in the last days of January's transfer window. Last season, for example, we saw the exit of Marcus Rashford on loan to Aston Villa, and the exit of Antony to Real Betis, which eventually became permanent.
United still may send some players out the door before the window closes this evening. Here's a list of three players who could potentially be departing before the end of the day.
Three players who could depart Old Trafford before the end of transfer deadline day
Tyrell Malacia
Tyrell Malacia seems to be out in the cold at Old Trafford. Malacia has failed to start a single game this season, and has managed only 2 minutes off the bench so far this season.
Malacia has been linked with a move to clubs in Turkey this January, and the transfer may yet materialise. Malacia will be out of contract at the end of the year, and a move on from Old Trafford seems to be the best option for Malacia and the club. A six-month loan to close out Malacia's contract could allow him to advertise himself to new clubs exploring a move in the summer.
The injury to left-back Patrick Dorgu may harm Malacia's potential exit as the Dutch left-back may well be in line for a bigger role for the rest of the season. If he tries to force a move though, he may well still leave before the end of the day.
Joshua Zirkzee
Reports linking Joshua Zirkzee to a move away from Old Trafford have been the loudest coming out of Old Trafford this January. Zirkzee still wants a move away, either temporary or permanent, in order to get into the Netherland's World Cup squad in the summer, and has limited game time at Man United.
Zirkzee is consistently being linked with a move to Italian giants Roma. The move has stalled somewhat in the latter half of the transfer window, but with his continued lack of first-team football may lead him to force a last minute move out of Manchester.
Ethan Wheatley
Ethan Wheatley has already been recalled from his loan at Northampton Town. The young centre-forward was a consistent performer for the League One side, but has been recalled in order to be tested in a different environment, with the expectation that he will be loaned out again before the window closes.
Wheatley is a talented youngster, and is reportedly linked with a loan move to Bradford City, another team in League One. There is an expectation from both sides that this move will be completed by the end of the day, with no buy option, as Wheatley could well play a role in United's future.