Man Utd complete two deals as Carrick transfer plan gathers pace

5 Aug 2026 11:56 BST | 3 min read

Michael Carrick, Man Utd, 2026/27 — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

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Manchester United are busy laying the groundwork for more new signings to add to Michael Carrick’s side, and in order to do that, the Red Devils are on the verge of offloading two players.

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United are not finished in the transfer market when it comes to signings, with an attacking midfielder, a left-back and a central midfielder all on the club’s shopping list, but for this business to be done, the wage bill needs cleared and fresh funds raised.

While it appears that Marcus Rashford would be the ideal player for Carrick’s side to move on, the Old Trafford side have had to settle for moving on a couple of squad players for the time being.

United complete smart business

Radek Vitek’s exit comes as little surprise. The 22-year-old goalkeeper has long been linked with a move away from Man Utd this summer and is now poised to complete a transfer to Championship side Middlesbrough.

According to Sky Sports, a deal worth £14 million (€16.3m), including bonuses has been agreed. While this is significantly above Vitek’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of £4.9m (€5.7m) – a figure low due to his lack of top-level first-team experience – the really smart piece of this deal for the Red Devils is the inclusion of a series of clauses to protect themselves against the 22-year-old rapidly improving.

Firstly, they have a buy-back option, meaning that they can purchase him for a pre-agreed figure with Boro.

And secondly, they have retained a 35% sell-on clause that will allow them to profit when Middlesbrough sell. This scenario is particularly plausible given the rapid rise of Senne Lammens. Should he make himself indispensable as No.1 for the foreseeable future, it will block the way for Vitek to return.

The other player imminently leaving Man Utd is Altay Bayindir, who has spent the last three seasons acting as backup.

Fabrizio Romano reports that the Turkey international is poised to complete a loan move to Celta Vigo that includes an option to buy set at €4m. The loan fee, meanwhile, will be determined by how much action the shot-stopper sees.

Romano reports that Bayindir is still to undergo his medical and formally sign his contract with the Spanish side.

Man Utd clear path for three more signings

These outgoings represent more good business from the Red Devils, who have had a savvy if unspectacular summer to date.

The Ineos-run club has refused to be drawn into paying mega-money for targets and have missed out on the likes of Elliot Anderson as a consequence.

Equally, though, they have snapped up Youri Tielemans in what may well be the best-value signing of the summer, having matched the Belgium international’s release figure at Aston Villa.

With a month of the window to go, though, fans are eager to see more new faces in Carrick’s ranks, and these two deals will help facilitate it.