01 Sep 2026 18:34:46
With the clock ticking towards tonight's 11pm deadline, the name suddenly dominating Manchester United social media is Jorge Salinas.
The 19-year-old Racing Santander defender has been linked with United throughout the latter stages of the window, but the rumours have noticeably intensified today, with reports suggesting United could yet decide to simply trigger his €16m (£13.7m) release clause.
Spanish reports have previously named United as serious contenders for Salinas, while deadline-day claims suggest the collapse of Atlético Madrid's move may have opened the door. There has also been talk of United exploring a loan with an option to buy, although Racing's relatively modest release clause makes a permanent deal seem far more logical.
There is a note of caution: the Manchester Evening News reported earlier today that United were leaning against paying the clause, so this is certainly not one to describe as close yet.
But as a transfer, it makes a lot of sense.
Salinas can play left-back and centre-back, giving Carrick competition and cover for Luke Shaw immediately while also fitting United's recent strategy of recruiting young players with significant upside.
Shaw enters the final year of his current contract next summer, so Salinas wouldn't necessarily prevent United returning for their preferred long-term option – hopefully Lewis Hall – in 2027.
For around £14m, it could therefore be a very smart bridge signing:
Competition for Shaw now.
Cover at centre-back.
Huge development potential.
And Hall can remain the long-term target.
Louis Page – Another One To Watch
United are also working on a deal for Leicester City youngster Louis Page.
The 18-year-old midfielder is regarded as one of Leicester's brightest prospects, and the Manchester Evening News reports that United are attempting to agree a deal before tonight's deadline.
This would clearly be more of a future-focused signing than someone expected to immediately change Carrick's first XI, but it fits the recruitment pattern we've increasingly seen under the new structure: identify elite young talent early rather than paying enormous fees for it several years later.
So with only hours remaining, the two names to keep an eye on are:
Jorge Salinas – potentially the surprise first-team defensive addition.
Louis Page – another high-upside signing for the future.
Salinas is the one that could genuinely change how we feel about the end of this window.
At around £14m, I'd be tempted to just trigger the clause and get it done.
01 Sep 2026 19:45:17
Seriously doubt anything will happen now.... God I hope im wrong and a rabbit is pulled out of hat, but talk about differ.
01 Sep 2026 19:53:09
Won't be happening, sadly. There's nothing out there of any substance to suggest United are anywhere near close to a deal. The only reports are on the Leicester lad, but that's also being reported now as unlikely.
I don't know much about the left back, apart from a few clips. But the reported value of the release clause mostly makes it a no-lose transfer. It's peanuts in modern football.
01 Sep 2026 20:13:50
Watch us not sign a lb and then Luke Shaw get one of his usual injuries that'll keep him out for weeks... guaranteed to happen and make the board look even worse.
01 Sep 2026 20:37:09
I don't see the point in signing an unknown quantity for lb and letting Amass go for peanuts. Page would be great, but I'd rather see Amass given a chance than sign Salinas. If we get a lb then Hall or Raum is the way forward.
01 Sep 2026 20:50:29
Paige playing tonight, do unless he signed and was immediately loaned back, it seems unlikely he will be a Utd player.
Media reports suggest Salinas and Balde are not signed either.
01 Sep 2026 23:04:56
Window closed, so in Luke Shaw we must trust and hope he can play 50 odd games without injury.
02 Sep 2026 02:25:56
Alaba and Benzema on one-year pay-as-you-play deals, anyone?
02 Sep 2026 06:50:20
Luke Shaw getting injured is a potential problem, but him staying fit could also be a problem. In the first 2 games, he's been beaten more than once, leading to goals. He was never the quickest, and he's getting slower.