Keep, sell, loan – What next for seven Man United loanees amid Sancho, Hojlund and Rashford decisions

Manchester United have seven players who have featured in the first team out on loan this season

13:00, 30 Mar 2026

Manchester United have turned a corner this season on the pitch. After a disappointing start under Ruben Amorim’s management, Michael Carrick’s appointment has led to the Reds making a charge for the Premier League’s top four. As we head into the final stretch of the season, United are well placed to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Carrick’s side have a six-point cushion on fifth place Liverpool although finishing fifth could still be enough to make the Champions League, depending on how English clubs do in Europe between now and the end of the season. Such form has meant the Reds have not missed any of their first team players who are out on loan.

In total, seven players who have featured for the first team in some capacity, have been loaned out over the course of this season. With this in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at each of them and weighed up what the club should do this summer.

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Andre Onana

After the Grimsby disaster, Onana needed to leave. He has spent the campaign on loan at Trabzonspor and has not done anything there to suggest he should be kept by United.

Senne Lammens is a more than capable first choice for now and the future. Onana’s wage means he would be too expensive to be a back-up to the Belgian.

Trabzonspor have suggested it would be out of their price range to sign Onana permanently. But a United departure must be agreed this summer.

Our verdict: Sell

Jadon Sancho

Sancho’s time at United is up. The loan spell at Aston Villa – whether impressive or not – was not going to change that. As it happens, the winger has struggled in a good season for Villa. United would not look to reintegrate him into the first team and it is a sad end to what was such a promising signing at one stage. His deal expires at the end of the season and that should be the end of this chapter.

Our verdict: Release

Marcus Rashford

Like Sancho, it seems the hope of keeping Rashford has gone. His form has slowed at Barcelona but he has still posted good figures. Ten goals and 13 assists this season is not bad and United do need a left winger. However, too much has happened to repair the relationship between the forward and the club. Selling him to Barcelona for £25m would be best for all parties.

Our verdict: Sell

Rasmus Hojlund

This decision has been taken out of the hands of United. Napoli are under the impression they will sign him in the summer after reaching the criteria for a buy clause.

One of the criteria is believed to be if Napoli qualify for the Champions League, Hojlund would sign permanently. They are eight points clear of fifth place Juventus so that seems likely to be reached.

If, for some reason, Hojlund returns to Old Trafford, United must look to sell him. There should be plenty of suitors in Italy and he is now behind Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo in the pecking order.

Our verdict: Sell

Ethan Wheatley

Wheatley gained a taste of first team football last season when he spent the second half of the campaign on loan at League Two club Walsall. He did not score but earned himself a loan move to League One Northampton Town last summer.

In the first half of this season, he scored three goals in 22 League One appearances before joining fellow League One club Bradford City in January. Wheatley has made 11 appearances for the promotion chasing side but has yet to score for them.

The 20-year-old may not make it into the United first team but has a contract until 2028. Maybe another loan move at the top of League One next season would give him further opportunity to progress.

Our verdict: Loan

Toby Collyer

It has been an unfortunate season for the 22-year-old. Like Wheatley, Collyer has had two loan spells this season at West Bromwich Albion and Hull City.

The stint in the Championship with West Brom was cut short due to injury but did not stop promotion-chasing Hull from signing him in January. Collyer has had a bit-part role with the Tigers so far but with the play-offs a possibility, the defensive midfielder has a chance of gaining more minutes as the season wears on.

Collyer deserves another shot at the Championship when he is fully fit. Next season will be huge for him as United weigh up whether to give him a new deal or not.

Our verdict: Loan

Harry Amass

Amass suffered his first major injury of his career following his debut for Norwich City against Coventry. Before that, the 19-year-old made himself a man in demand with a great spell at struggling Sheffield Wednesday.

He picked up the player of the month award for the Owls and looked to relish the chance to play regular senior football. The teenager may return from injury before the end of the season.

Should he return to fitness, there will be a temptation to keep Amass at Old Trafford next season and see how he performs with the first team group. It could also allow Diego Leon a chance to taste European football with a loan of his own.

Our verdict: Keep