Manchester United attacker set for January 2026 exit

Manchester United’s summer 2025 rebuild wasn’t just about who arrived at Old Trafford, it was about who didn’t fit anymore.

Ruben Amorim’s system has pushed United towards fewer wingers and more central forwards, and that was reflected in the clear-out.

As such, the club offloaded multiple wide options, while reshaping the attack around new profiles.

That shift was underlined by the arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, forming the headline trio as United try to modernise their front line and add more goals and versatility.

It was also why there was a feeling Sam Mather would be one of the next academy forwards to move on permanently once the window opened, especially with his pathway narrowing in a squad being built for immediate output.

However, that exit never materialised in the summer.

Talks with Kayserispor progressed deep into deadline day discussions, while an alternative route with Al Wahda also fell away amid disagreements over United’s usual buy-back and sell-on clauses.

Now, though, the situation looks set to be revisited properly.

Manchester Evening News has reported that Sam Mather is set to leave in January 2026.

Interest is reportedly emerging from clubs in Turkey, Germany and Greece, and United prepared to make concessions to get the move done early in the window.

For Mather, it’s a career crossroads. He has continued to train around the first-team group at Carrington, but has largely been ticking over in academy football.

As such report suggest that he feels he has outgrown that level.

His contract is understood to run until 2027, meaning United still hold leverage, but also a responsibility to find the right next step.

For United, this is the academy model in action, sell at the right time, protect upside with clauses where possible, and keep the squad lean for Amorim’s evolving shape.