Manchester United look set to announce up to three new players in the coming days amid the club's start to the 2026 pre-season preparations.

Those United stars who did not compete in the World Cup, such as Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbuemo, and Luke Shaw, all returned to Carrington on Thursday morning, although they were not the only players to arrive.

It has been widely reported that the new pending arrival, Andrey Santos, was in the building to complete his medical before a £50 million move from Chelsea to United

Reports also suggested that the club had reached an agreement to sign 35-year-old goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer from Leeds United amid the pending exit of Altay Bayındır.

It has also been claimed in Italian media that Atalanta midfielder Ederson has been undergoing further medical checks on Friday afternoon as United assess his knee before pressing ahead with the £35 million signing of the midfielder.

While summer transfer focus is often always on who clubs will bring in, there is often running theories surrounding who sides may sell across a summer window.

This summer, the permanent departures of Altay Bayındır and Marcus Rashford seem likely, while young talents like Diego Leon and Harry Amass may well leave on loan. However, there are some players who will be on their final straws this coming season.

United CEO Omar Berrada is known for having a two-season rule where if a new signign does not prove their worth and value within two campaigns, they will be sold, although pretty much all United players got a clean slate at the begnning of last campaign.

There are three players who will be looked at at United as players who have one more season to prove their value to the club before a final decision is taken on them next campaign: Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, and Matthijs de Ligt.

A significant reason why Mount has never truely kicked on in Red is due to his consistent injury issues. Mount will have a good run of form, and just when he looks settled into the team, he will find himself out for two months. It's not enough.

Similarly, Dutch defender De Ligt has a lot to prove this season. Last campaign, he started all 13 of United's first 13 league fixtures, but following a back injjury, he was out for the rest of the campaign and ultimately underwent surgery that will see him return in the early stages of next season.

He was one of United's most consistent playesr prior to his injuiry, but with fitness issues having been a problem at previous clubs too, if he cannot prove himself to be a reliable outlet next campaign, he may be shipped on.

Shaw's situation is a little different. Despite being injury prone throughout his career, the English left-back actually started all 38 league games last season, but his problem is due to his contract.

Shaw's current deal expires at the end of next season, and he will be 31 by this point. With United having Amass in their ranks and holding firm interest in Newcastle's Lewis Hall, the veteran defender will have to prove himself worthy of a new contract or face the exit door.