Man Utd release transfer statement as forward completes move before deadline

Manchester United could be in line for a busy final 24 hours of the transfer winow but they have got one of their deals done with more than a day of the window to spare

Manchester United have confirmed a loan exit for young forward Ethan Williams. The teenager has signed a new deal at Old Trafford, extending his contract until 2028 before completing a season-long move to Falkirk.

Williams took part in United's pre-season tour, scoring in a 4-1 friendly victory over Bournemouth. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Cheltenham, netting twice, and now faces a year in the Scottish top-flight.

“We’re absolutely delighted to bring Ethan Williams to Falkirk," the Scottish club's manager John McGlynn said. He confirmed former United centre-back Jonny Evans played a part in the move, having taken on a new role at Old Trafford since his summer retirement.

"He’s a young player of real quality who has been developed in one of the best academies in the world at Manchester United, and he now has the chance to take the next step in his career with us," McGlynn added. "Ethan is quick, direct, and has an eye for goal, qualities that we feel will add a different dimension to our attacking play and excite the supporters.

“Ethan is a player we’ve had our eye on for some time, we were chasing this deal before the window even opened. It’s been a long road getting him to Falkirk with plenty of twists and turns along the way, but we always felt it was worth persevering with and we’re delighted to finally get it over the line."

He joins a growing list of United stars to complete loan moves away from Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford is spending the season at Barcelona, with Toby Collyer at West Brom and Ethan Wheatley at Northampton.

"Last term, he did well with Cheltenham Town in League Two, scoring his first goals in senior football," United said in a statement about Williams once the loan was announced. "A new experience awaits him north of the border, after a deal was concluded with the Bairns."

There are still a few more deals left to be wrapped up. Among those is another loan, wit Rasmus Hojlund on the verge of trading Manchester for Napoli on loan with a view to a permanent switch next summer, and Alejandro Garnacho has now made a permanent move from United to Chelsea.

United are also still working to complete a deal for Antony to return to Real Betis. The teams are a little apart on the financial terms, specifically concerning a potential payment to the Brazilian to make up for his wage drop.

"There is no agreement and we have withdrawn the transfer offer because Real Betis can't afford the transfer fee and the amounts that Manchester United must [instead] pay the player before the transfer," the Spanish club said in a statement on Friday. The winger thrived on loan at the club last season, but a permanent move - for a fee of around £21.6million - now hangs in the balance.