Manchester United confirms first departure in the winter transfer window! Possibly the only transfer, with two Amorebieta rejects staying put.

Manchester United has officially sanctioned its first departure in the winter transfer period, as academy winger Sam Mather makes a permanent move to Turkish Süper Lig club Kayserispor.

The Manchester Evening News reports that the clubs agreed on the transfer fee in full; the 21-year-old winger traveled to Turkey on Tuesday, completed his medical examination, and signed an official contract. His contract with Manchester United was originally set to expire in 2027, but the club allowed him to leave a year early.

Mather has already donned the Kayserispor jersey, with an official announcement expected soon. He is one of several new signings made by the club in January. Currently, the team ranks third from bottom in the Süper Lig standings, inside the relegation zone, so Mather faces a significant challenge upon joining.

As a member of the 2022 FA Youth Cup-winning team, Mather never made an appearance for Manchester United’s senior squad. He initially planned to join Kayserispor last summer, but the move fell through due to delays, forcing him to remain at Carrington training with the first team and occasionally playing in reserve matches. Approaching 22 this March, Mather no longer wants to play youth football; he has reached the age where professional football is essential.

Fortunately, the Turkish club did not give up, and after about four months of negotiations with Manchester United, they finally reached an agreement. Reportedly, Manchester United waived a transfer fee but included clauses for future sell-on percentages and a buy-back option.

Mather will join Kayserispor’s winter training camp in Antalya to prepare for upcoming Süper Lig matches against Beşiktaş, İstanbul Başakşehir, and Galatasaray.

Though Mather has left, the situation changed drastically with the dismissal of Rúben Amorim. According to British media, potential departures of several Manchester United players have been put on hold after the coaching change, making Mather likely the only player to transfer in this window.

Two key players previously linked with winter moves, Zirkzee and Cody Meno, are now expected to stay at the club. Both saw reduced playing time under Amorim and had connections with Serie A sides Roma and Napoli, respectively, but now they are eager to remain and prove their worth to the new coaching staff.

Especially the 20-year-old English midfielder Meno, who is reportedly eager to reclaim a starting spot in January. He had been sidelined with injury during the personnel crisis before Amorim’s departure but returned to action in the first match under interim manager Darren Fletcher.

The €60 million signing Ugarte was also linked with a move to Turkish Süper Lig leaders Galatasaray during the winter window. However, given that Manchester United is currently under interim management and cannot make signings, they certainly will not sell any existing players, meaning Ugarte cannot transfer before the summer either.

The only senior squad player with a realistic chance of leaving Manchester United in January might be Dutch left-back Tyrell Malacia. He was labeled one of the "five rats" in the dressing room by Amorim before the season but became the only one to remain. Due to recent player shortages, the Dutchman has returned to the matchday squad and even played again.

Malacia’s contract with Manchester United has just six months left, and the club has no intention of activating the one-year extension option. Therefore, if he is not sold during the winter window, he will leave on a free transfer this summer. However, considering his recent injury record, it is unlikely any club will pay to sign him early.