Manchester United officially announces their first departure of the winter transfer window! The new star is confirmed to stay, while two others aim for last-minute transfers.

Manchester United officially announced on Sunday that 21-year-old academy winger Sam Mather has officially departed, joining Turkish Süper Lig club Kayserispor. Having spent 14 years with the Red Devils, Mather was already in Turkey. Kayserispor had reached an agreement with both him and Manchester United earlier this month, but the official announcement was only made recently. The transfer fee is reportedly zero, though United retained a buy-back option and a sell-on clause.

Mather had previous loan spells at Rochdale and Tranmere Rovers. Now at an age where he needs to play professional football rather than youth games, he chose to leave Manchester United. He had already announced his departure and bid farewell to Old Trafford fans on social media. Wearing the number 11 jersey at Kayserispor, he is expected to play a significant role.

The club’s official statement read: “Manchester United forward Sam Mather has joined Kayserispor on a permanent transfer. The 21-year-old mainly played for our youth teams and was part of the squad that won the FA Youth Cup in 2022. Mather has previously played for Rochdale and Tranmere and is now set to begin a new chapter in his professional career in Turkey. He joined United before turning 10 and scored four goals in a 2024 U21 match against Norwich, impressing many. Kayserispor currently sit 16th in the Süper Lig, managed by Radomir Djalovic. Everyone at Manchester United wishes Sam all the best for his future career.”

A few days ago, Mather joined Kayserispor’s winter training camp. His debut could come this Saturday in the home game against Istanbul Basaksehir. After the transfer was announced, he spoke again, looking forward to life at his new club: “Time to get to work, Kayserispor.”

Mather’s FA Youth Cup-winning teammate, Kobe Meno, was also close to leaving during the January transfer window. However, with Ruben Amorim’s departure and Carrick’s appointment, the 20-year-old English midfielder’s situation has completely changed. Meno will definitely remain at Manchester United this season. Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed: “Carrick truly trusts Meno, so any loan moves this January are off the table. Even in December, the board was unwilling to approve Meno’s departure. Now, he is set to be a key player for the club’s future!”

On Sunday, worry-free about his future, Meno traveled to London to watch the NBA London Game, where the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Orlando Magic 126-109. The new Manchester United star hopes to personally attend the 2026 World Cup in the United States this summer.

Currently, Manchester United likely has only two first-team players potentially moving this month: 26-year-old Dutch left-back Tyrell Malacia and 24-year-old Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee. Interestingly, these two are not only compatriots but also close friends, having been teammates at Feyenoord. Malacia, the club’s first signing under Ten Hag for €17 million, is now entering the final six months of his contract, making this the club’s last chance to sell him.

During Amorim’s era, Malacia was labeled as part of the “five bad apples” in the dressing room but failed to leave in the summer window. Before the 40-year-old Portuguese coach was dismissed, Malacia was briefly reinstated. However, even after Carrick took over as manager, Malacia has not secured a place. In the 4-2-3-1 formation, Luke Shaw started as left-back in Carrick’s first match, with Patrick Doğu shifted to the wing.

Doğu scored a goal in Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City. This was not his first crucial goal; last month, he also scored the winning goal in a 1-0 win against Newcastle. Carrick highly values the Danish international, who has played 23 times this season. Former United left-back Patrice Evra praised Doğu’s performances and expressed pride in him. Doğu happily replied, “Thanks, big brother, I will work hard to follow in your footsteps.”

Additionally, right-backs Diogo Dalot and Mazraoui can also cover the left side. Mazraoui has finished his African Cup of Nations campaign. After missing out on the title, he will return to Carrington to fight for a starting spot at Manchester United. Therefore, if Malacia wants playing time in the second half of the season, he must seek a transfer.

Dutch striker Zirkzee missed the Manchester derby, officially due to a left leg muscle injury. However, Italian media rumors say he refused to train, aiming for a transfer to Serie A club Roma. After the match, Zirkzee signed autographs outside Old Trafford and revealed he would miss two weeks of games.

Coincidentally, the January transfer window closes exactly two weeks from now! Whether Zirkzee will still wear the Red Devils jersey then remains uncertain. What is clear is that with 16 Premier League games left, if Zirkzee stays, he will only be used sporadically as a substitute and will likely fail to realize his dream of returning to the Dutch national team for this summer’s World Cup. His desire for a last-minute transfer is undeniable. Manchester United has not yet agreed. Roma’s sporting director Frederic Massara said: “Manchester United made it clear two weeks ago that they rejected the offer, and they have not changed their mind since.”