Manchester United’s Sam Mather will be reintegrated into the Under-21 squad this week after failing to complete his desired summer transfer.

The 21-year-old had been linked with a handful of clubs throughout the summer, having entered the transfer window with full intentions of leaving United permanently.

Sam Mather: What went on this summer?

He received approaches from sides in Germany, Sweden and Turkey, as per Manchester Evening News, but nothing materialised. Then, after the main European deadline passed, Mather was in talks with Kayseripor in a move that would’ve seen him follow on-loan Red Andre Onana to the Turkish Super Lig.

That was until the prospective switch collapsed due to United feeling there wasn’t ‘enough time’ to get everything over the line.

Mather was consequently left with few options regarding where he could ply his trade at a senior level, and began negotiating with Abu Dhabi-based Al Wahda. 

Mather misses out on UAE transfer – ‘final decision’ made

For the youngster, the prospect of playing in the AFC Champions League was an enticing one, despite prioritising a European venture only a few months ago.

According to Steven Railston’s report this morning, United had requested in discussions with Al Wahda that a buy-back clause be included in their agreement. This is said to be ‘common practice’ when a player from the academy leaves, although the UAE outfit rebuffed the plea.

Mather is now set for another four months of U21S football before his situation can be ‘revisited’ in the winter. He has been drafted into first-team training with Ruben Amorim’s squad on numerous occasions, but is still awaiting his senior debut for the club.

The fact that United are only playing one game a week this season will also make his quest to break into the setup increasingly trickier.

Tyrell Malacia has been recalled to the first-team setup at Manchester United following a summer of exile.

Indeed, the Dutch international became the only remaining member of the bomb squad when all transfer windows closed this month.

What’s happened with Malacia this summer?

He had been made to watch on whilst Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho all secured their desired moves elsewhere.

Malacia was, at one stage, on the cusp of signing for Spanish side Elche on loan for the campaign. However, talks collapsed between both clubs on deadline day after they failed to reach an agreement over a buy option or clause.

The 26-year-old was then approached by Eyupspor, again regarding a season-long loan, but he turned down the opportunity.

Since then, Malacia has been training with United’s Under-21s at Carrington – until today.

Read more: INEOS will pursue coveted PL star in 2026 irrespective of whether Amorim stays, Keane thinks he’s ‘fantastic’

Malacia restored to first-team squad by Ruben Amorim

Netherlands-based journalist Joost Blaauwhof took to X/Twitter this morning to confirm that Ruben Amorim has ‘brought Malacia back into first-team selection’.

Blaauwhof adds that the defender is ‘getting a new chance’ and has ‘immediately joined the group’ as they undergo their preparations for the visit of Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.

After Amorim took the reins last November, Malacia made eight appearances in all competitions, starting twice in the Premier League and three times in the Europa League.

When the January window rolled around, he was sent on loan to PSV Eindhoven, where he claimed an Eredivisie winners’ medal upon the culmination of his temporary spell – although the club opted against making his deal permanent and sent him back to Manchester in June.

Laurie Whitwell has shared his take on Ruben Amorim’s job security at Manchester United.

From the journalist’s perspective, he believes that INEOS will be more determined to stick with Amorim because they personally chose him to occupy the role, whereas Erik ten Hag was already at the helm when they arrived in February 2024. 

They relieved Ten Hag, who was sacked by Bayer Leverkusen this season after just two league games in charge, of his duties last October, with United 14th-placed in the table. 

When INEOS decided to call it quits with Ten Hag

The side had overseen only three wins from their opening nine matches and had drawn all three of their opening Europa League games. A 2-1 defeat away to West Ham United was deemed the final straw for Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and he subsequently pulled the plug on Ten Hag’s two-and-a-half-year spell. 

When scouring the market for his replacement, the hierarchy landed on Amorim, who, in May 2021, had led Sporting Lisbon to their first league title in 19 years. At the time he bid farewell to the Lions, he had not tasted defeat in 2024/2025.

You can see why INEOS perhaps viewed the coach as something of a safe bet, but they have since had their decision come back to bite them in the behind.

Saturday’s defeat to Brentford marked the 17th Premier League game that Amorim has lost, whilst he has also claimed only 34 points from 33 matches. 

Whitwell weighs in on under-pressure Amorim

“If Ruben Amorim goes, does that bring the spotlight on Omar Berrada, on Jason Wilcox, on other people that were involved in getting to this point?” questioned Whitwell on the Talk of the Devils podcast.

“I think that’s why they would ultimately want to see it through and I think they do still feel like it could still work, but I think you’re getting to a point now where those questions are going to become louder and louder and ultimately results will dictate it.

“I think it’s fragile. I do think that [the hierarchy] want it to work because they know what the ramifications are, but I feel that you can’t ignore the results if they continue like this.”

Manchester United remain admirers of Carlos Baleba and are already planning how they can test Brighton and Hove Albion’s resolve next year.

Back in the summer, the two clubs held talks over a potential deal for the midfielder after United established their interest.

What happened between Baleba and United over the summer?

The Red Devils received assurances from Baleba that he was keen to make the move to Old Trafford if it became possible. However, he didn’t go as far as forcing a transfer, instead respecting Brighton’s decision to keep hold of him.

Brighton were reluctant to part ways with their highly-rated star just one season into his tenure, although reports did suggest that a bid in excess of £100 million would’ve twisted their arm into sanctioning his departure.

At that stage of the summer, United opted against taking their pursuit any further. INEOS were prioritising forward additions and, closer to deadline day, a new shot-stopper, so conceded that not all areas of the squad could be revamped in one transfer window.

Reds retain Baleba interest

As such, TeamTalk now claim United will return for the 21-year-old in 2026 irrespective of whether Ruben Amorim is still in charge.

INEOS believe their initial approach will have done enough to begin turning Baleba’s head, with his own manager Fabian Hurzeler claiming that the links with United in recent months have distracted him on the pitch since 2025/2026 got underway.

“For sure, when a young boy reads there is interest from Manchester United with a big, big offer, it might affect him deep, deep down. That’s also part of the development to understand that when you play well, there comes a big offer, there comes a big club that wants to have him,” said the Brighton boss earlier this month.

The Cameroonian international has previously been hailed as a ‘fantastic’ talent by none other than Roy Keane, who’s certainly one of the more hard-to-please pundits and club legends.