Manchester United officially confirmed a last-minute sale as their fourth departure, while a major figure halted the deal for a key defender! Without any new signings, the club has turned into a loan machine.

On the final day of the winter transfer window, February 2, Manchester United announced the last-minute permanent transfer of 17-year-old midfielder Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher to their rivals Leeds United. Fletcher joined United from Sheffield United last year on an apprentice contract but was recently dropped from the U18 squad coached by Darren Fletcher.

Leeds United had shown interest in this attacking midfielder since early January and managed to complete the deal just before the deadline; Fletcher will join their youth academy. Notably, although he represents Serbia at youth international level, Fletcher was born in Leeds, making this a homecoming of sorts.

Fletcher is the fourth player sold by Manchester United this winter, all young academy prospects. Winger Sam Mather transferred to Turkish side Kayserispor, striker Joe Hugill moved to Scottish club Kilmarnock, and defender Les Bennett joined English League Two team Fleetwood Town.

On deadline day, Manchester United also announced loans for four other young players. Ethan Wheatley was loaned to Bradford City, Jacob Devaney to St. Mirren, Gabriele Biancheri to Rotherham, and James Scanlon to Swindon Town.

This brings the total number of players loaned out by Manchester United this winter to six. Across both transfer windows this season, the club has loaned out 12 players in total, effectively becoming a loan factory!

Nineteen-year-old Welsh international Biancheri was loaned to League One side Rotherham. He has scored five goals in 10 appearances across England’s second-tier leagues this season, attracting interest from La Liga’s Real Betis. However, Manchester United believe regular playing time in a lower division will better aid his development. This is Biancheri’s first loan spell.

Nineteen-year-old Gibraltar international Scanlon was intended to be loaned out last summer but no suitable club was found. He will now join an English League Two first team. Scanlon has played 22 matches for Manchester United’s U21s, scoring five goals, including a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Sporting Lisbon watched by Carrick.

Twenty-year-old forward Wheatley was initially set to be loaned to Northampton Town but was recalled and sent to Bradford City instead. Both clubs play in League One, but Bradford is pushing for promotion while Northampton faces relegation. Manchester United believe a change of scenery will benefit Wheatley’s development.

Devaney, captain of Manchester United’s U21 team who plays midfield and central defense, joined Scottish side St. Mirren. After his departure, 21-year-old defender Sonny Aljofree, recalled from Notts County, became the new captain but has yet to find a new club. Likewise, 20-year-old Louis Jackson, recalled from Solihull Moors, has not secured a new loan deal.

Including those loaned out last summer, Manchester United currently has 12 academy players gaining experience elsewhere. This number could have been higher, as 20-year-old center-back Tyler Fredrickson was expected to go out on loan to gain first-team minutes. Celtic, Aberdeen, and Huddersfield had all made approaches, but injuries prevented the move.

There were no changes to Manchester United’s first team, and with no new signings, the club decided not to sell or loan out any existing senior players. Striker Zirkzee had to stay, reportedly encouraged by the situation under Carrick’s management. Although Sheshko is also a substitute, Zirkzee hopes Mason Mount’s injury might give him some opportunities in the number 10 role. Still, he is likely to spend most of his time on the bench, with his World Cup chances now very slim.

Zirkzee’s Dutch compatriot and friend Malacia had planned to join a Turkish club on transfer deadline day, but the club’s top management blocked the move. Malacia was set to fly to Istanbul Monday morning for either a loan or permanent transfer to a club there.

However, Manchester United’s sporting director Jason Wilcox informed Malacia that he must remain at the club for the rest of the season. Sources say Patrick Dogu’s hamstring injury influenced this decision. Malacia currently serves as Luke Shaw’s backup; although Mazraoui can also play left-back, he mainly competes with Diogo Dalot on the right side.

This decision disappointed Malacia, the 26-year-old Dutch left-back eager for first-team opportunities to revive his career. He has only played two minutes for Manchester United this season and has been an unused substitute 14 times. He has already decided to leave the club on a free transfer once his contract expires this summer.