Altay Bayındır has softened the language around his exit from Manchester United, saying it is “not a goodbye” after completing a loan move away from the club.

The goalkeeper marked the move with a message of gratitude to supporters, writing: “Thank you for every chant, every message and every moment we have shared,” he wrote on social media. “Your support means a lot to me and I’ll carry it with me throughout this next chapter of my life.

“I’ll miss Old Trafford but this is not goodbye. Wishing a successful season to everyone at the club, my heart and support will always be with you.

“See you soon Reds!”

Bayındır’s words are notable given how little of the last three seasons he spent as a regular part of the side. He arrived in the summer of 2023 as one of Türkiye’s top goalkeepers, but managed only 17 appearances for United, most of them while serving as backup to André Onana or, more recently, Senne Lammens.

A series of uncertain displays did little to strengthen his standing at Old Trafford. The arrival of veteran stopper Karl Darlow on a free transfer further pointed towards a future away from Michael Carrick’s squad.

United have also handed Celta a bargain permanent transfer option which, while not guaranteed to be used, appears likely to become a full exit next summer if he produces a strong campaign in Spain’s top flight.

The overall picture suggests United are prepared to move on, even if the feeling is not entirely shared by Bayındır. His farewell hinted at a genuine connection with the club despite a frustrating three-year spell.

That departure also fits into United’s wider plans, with the club now understood to be focusing on exits as they look to raise funds for further summer spending.

Complicating that process are salary rises on contracts agreed under the previous ownership. With United back in the Champions League, several players have already received pay increases of up to 25%.

Manchester United enter the final month of the transfer window still balancing several needs as they look to strengthen for the 2026/27 season.

For some time, the expectation was that as many as three central midfielders would arrive to address both Casemiro’s recent exit and the shortage of depth last season. Left back, left winger and striker were also understood to be areas of interest.

Earlier in the summer, United appeared to step away from moves for Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali. Both players have since joined Tottenham Hotspur for a combined $249 million (£185 million), with cost and a lack of the same clear preference for Old Trafford previously shown by Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško all shaping that stance.

With Champions League football approaching, a larger squad would make sense, and using the budget carefully across several positions remains a logical approach. Yet a report from The Athletic suggests that may now come at the cost of a third midfield signing. It is “no longer certain” that another player will arrive for the deeper role in midfield, with Carlos Baleba, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Manu Koné among those linked.

That has prompted fresh thought around “where to next put their resources” in the market.

At left back, Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall could prove difficult to land, although other options are likely available for less money. The situation on the left wing may only become clearer once there is a resolution to Marcus Rashford’s future.

Up front, United may be better served by adding an older backup option for Šeško rather than a similar young rival for the 23-year-old. Jean-Philippe Mateta fits that type, while Dušan Vlahović, 26, remains a free agent after leaving Juventus.

Manuel Ugarte’s long-term absence leaves Santos and Tielemans to support Kobbie Mainoo. Tielemans and Mainoo are described as intelligent architects with overlapping qualities, while Santos is seen as secure in possession, a strong runner and a capable defensive screen. Even so, none of them offer the same destructive presence Casemiro provided.

Manchester United’s hopes of landing Lewis Hall from Newcastle United are fading, with the financial logic behind such a move looking increasingly weak. Newcastle have already sold two players for major fees this summer and could still profit from Bruno Guimarães, which leaves little incentive to part with Hall as well. Fabrizio Romano reports that Newcastle do not intend to sell and will make matters “complicated” for any club that makes an approach.

For United, an expensive chase for one position would sit awkwardly with broader plans for the remainder of the 2026/27 window. A central midfielder, a left winger depending on Marcus Rashford’s situation, and possibly a backup striker remain part of the ideal finish to the summer. That makes it hard to justify committing heavy funds to one full-back target.

The club have already shown a willingness to move on quickly when a valuation does not fit their model. The draft points to their approach this summer, where the same money that Spurs used to sign Mateus Fernandes allowed United to bring in both Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans instead.

Left-back remains an area that needs careful planning. Luke Shaw was a rare source of consistency last season, starting every Premier League match. That was only the second time since his departure from Southampton in 2014 that he passed 30 league appearances in a season, but asking him to repeat that workload in a campaign that also includes Champions League football and domestic cups would be a major demand.

Tyrell Malacia has been released, while the only senior cover available, if Patrick Dorgu is viewed as a winger, comes from elsewhere in the squad. Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Ayden Heaven and Lisandro Martínez are all mentioned in that context. Harry Amass has impressed in preseason, but The Athletic have reported that United would be willing to sell him for as little as $8 million (£6 million).

If United want cover for Shaw, or a longer-term successor, Tyrick Mitchell fits the former category as an experienced Premier League option. David Raum offers stronger chance creation and crossing, while Antonee Robinson has already been linked with Old Trafford as a short-term solution rather than a long-term answer.