Manchester United’s Summer Exodus: Where will Garnacho, Rashford, Sancho, Antony, and Malacia Go Next

Manchester United’s Summer Exodus: Where will Garnacho, Rashford, Sancho, Antony, and Malacia Go Next
Marcus Rashford is one of five players set to leave Manchester United

Manchester United are bracing for a significant squad overhaul this summer, with five players—Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia—having reportedly informed the club of their desire to leave. Below, we delve into the reasons behind their potential departures and explore possible destinations for each player.

Alejandro Garnacho

Why He’s Leaving: Alejandro Garnacho, the 21-year-old Argentine winger, has been a polarizing figure at United. Despite his undeniable talent, his relationship with Amorim has soured, particularly after a fallout following the Europa League final defeat and a controversial social media post featuring him in an Aston Villa shirt with Rashford’s name. His exclusion from the squad for the final Premier League game of the 2024/25 season and earlier benching during the Manchester derby in December 2024 underscored tensions, with reports suggesting his attitude and social media activity have frustrated the club’s management. United’s high valuation of Garnacho has also complicated potential transfers, with Napoli backing out of a £40m deal in favour of PSV’s Noa Lang for £24m.

Likely Destinations: Garnacho’s future remains uncertain, but interest has come from several clubs. Chelsea have monitored him, while Napoli, Aston Villa, and Atletico Madrid have also been linked. Newcastle United, desperate to bolster their attack after missing out on other targets like Joao Pedro, could emerge as a strong contender for a Premier League move, offering Garnacho a chance to stay in England. However, with United’s pursuit of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and a new striker, Garnacho’s sale is seen as a priority to fund incoming transfers.

Marcus Rashford

Why He’s Leaving: Marcus Rashford has fallen out of favor under Amorim. His exile began in December 2024, culminating in a loan spell at Aston Villa for the second half of the 2024/25 season, where he managed four goals and six assists in 17 appearances. Despite this, Villa declined a £40m permanent deal, and Rashford’s No. 10 shirt has been reassigned to new signing Matheus Cunha, signalling his diminished status at United. Rashford’s desire for a fresh challenge, coupled with United’s worst-ever Premier League finish (15th), has fueled his push for an exit. His reported interest in playing alongside Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal adds further intrigue.

Likely Destinations: Rashford’s next move is likely to be abroad, with Barcelona emerging as a potential destination after their failure to sign Nico Williams. Bayern Munich has also been mentioned as a club Rashford would welcome, though concrete offers remain scarce. United’s willingness to lower their asking price—potentially to £30m or even £20m—reflects the challenge of offloading a high-earner with a patchy recent record.

Jadon Sancho

Why He’s Leaving: Jadon Sancho’s tenure at Manchester United has been tumultuous, marked by public disputes and inconsistent performances. After a loan spell at Chelsea in the 2024/25 season, where he made 31 league appearances but failed to secure a permanent move (Chelsea paid a £5m penalty to avoid the obligation), Sancho returned to Old Trafford unwanted. His social media antics and lack of regular minutes have frustrated fans and management alike. With his contract entering its final year, United are keen to offload him to avoid losing him for free in 2026.

Likely Destinations: Juventus have shown interest in Sancho, with a potential swap deal involving Douglas Luiz being mooted. Borussia Dortmund, where Sancho previously thrived, is another option, though their interest has not yet materialized into a firm offer. Napoli have also been linked, but their recent acquisition of Noa Lang may reduce their urgency. United’s asking price of £25m could drop further as the transfer window progresses.

Antony

Why He’s Leaving: Brazilian winger Antony, signed from Ajax for over $100m in 2022, has struggled to justify his price tag at United, scoring just 12 goals in 96 appearances. A loan spell at Real Betis in the second half of the 2024/25 season proved more fruitful, with five goals in 17 La Liga games, but United’s squad rebuild under Amorim leaves little room for him. His emotional recall to the Brazil national team, thanks to his Betis performances, has boosted his marketability, but United’s reduced asking price of £30.2m reflects their urgency to move him on.

Likely Destinations: Real Betis are keen to re-sign Antony, ideally on another loan, but face challenges meeting United’s asking price. Bayer Leverkusen have also emerged as a potential suitor, offering Antony a chance to shine in the Bundesliga. His preference for a permanent move could complicate negotiations, but his recent form suggests he still has something to offer at a high level.

Tyrell Malacia

Why He’s Leaving: Dutch left-back Tyrell Malacia, signed from Feyenoord in 2022, has been plagued by injuries, limiting him to just three Premier League appearances in the 2024/25 season. His loan spell at PSV Eindhoven in the second half of the season helped them clinch the Eredivisie title, but PSV opted against a permanent deal. Malacia’s desire to leave stems from his bleak prospects at United, where he is surplus to requirements under Amorim’s vision for a cohesive squad.

Likely Destinations: Interest in Malacia is limited due to his injury history and indifferent loan spell, but a return to Feyenoord, where he spent 14 years before joining United, has been speculated as a logical move, especially given their need for a left-back under Robin van Persie. Other Dutch clubs or mid-tier European sides could also provide Malacia with an opportunity to rebuild his career.

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