Five players Man United could sign on free transfers next summer

Laurent Blanc, Edinson Cavani, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Michael Owen and Christian Eriksen are among the players to have moved to Old Trafford for nothing and made their mark for the club.

Man United will certainly be looking at the free agent market for next summer, as some standout names are set to become available, but there will be intense competition for their signatures.

Here, Sports Mole picks out five players that the 20-time English champions could sign for free next year to boost their squad for the 2025-26 campaign.

Jonathan David | Striker | Lille

David is currently one of the most in-demand forwards in Europe, with his deal at Lille due to expire next summer.

His French club have not given up hope of convincing the 24-year-old to pen fresh terms, but it looks likely that he will be on the move, with Man United said to be among the list of admirers.

David has scored eight goals and registered two assists in 13 appearances for Lille this season, while he has 92 goals and 20 assists in 196 appearances for the club in total.

The Canada international is also thought to be wanted by the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus, but he could be tempted to the Premier League, and it is a signing that Man United should seriously be considering.

Alphonso Davies | Left-back | Bayern Munich

Luke Shaw is a wonderful player when fit, but it is getting to the stage where Man United need to make a big decision when it comes to the left-back position, as it has become a real problem for the club.

Davies' contract at Bayern is up next summer, and the 23-year-old could move on, with Real Madrid said to lead the race, but Los Blancos have not yet agreed a deal with the Canadian.

The left-back has made eight appearances at club level this term, while he has featured 203 times for his German side in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and registering 32 assists in the process.

Davies is one of the best full-backs in world football, and it would be some signing for Man United if they were able to bring him to Old Trafford for nothing ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

Joshua Kimmich | Central midfielder | Bayern Munich

The signs are currently pointing towards Kimmich signing a new deal at Bayern, with his situation thought to have changed due to the arrival of Vincent Kompany as head coach.

The 29-year-old has been in excellent form for Bayern this season, providing two assists in nine appearances, and he is one of the best central midfielders in world football.

Man United's transfer policy is now to look at younger players, but the chance to sign an individual of Kimmich's ilk on a free transfer does not come around often, and the Red Devils should be exploring a deal.

The Red Devils are still short in central midfield despite investing in that area, and with Eriksen and Casemiro set to move on next year, there will certainly be room in the squad for Kimmich's arrival.

Angel Gomes | Attacking midfielder | Lille

Gomes has been in the spotlight over the last month due to his involvement in the England squad, with Three Lions head coach Lee Carsley selecting the 24-year-old.

The attacker has now featured on three times for England, while he has been a vital player for Lille this season, scoring once and providing one assist in nine appearances in all competitions.

Man United are said to be considering re-signing Gomes next summer, but the 20-time English champions are likely to face a host of competition.

Since leaving Old Trafford in 2020, the playmaker has scored nine goals and registered 19 assists in 123 appearances for Lille, and he could potentially complete a spectacular return to the Red Devils next year.

Leroy Sane | Right winger | Bayern Munich

Sane's career at Bayern is stalling, and it seems likely that the 28-year-old will leave Allianz Arena in 2025, with a return to the Premier League thought to be a serious possibility for the Germany international.

The attacker previously represented Manchester City between 2016 and 2020, scoring 39 goals and registering 43 assists in 135 appearances in all competitions, while he has managed 49 goals and 50 assists in 179 outings for Bayern.

Sane has found it difficult in the early stages of this season, though, only managing one goal in four appearances, and at this stage of proceedings, it is tough to see a new deal being agreed.

At 28, the forward should still have a lot of football ahead of him, and with Man United needing to boost a goal-shy attack in 2025, a move for Sane on a free transfer certainly makes a lot of sense.