There is rightly a lot of focus on the desired exits of Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Jadon Sancho from Manchester United this month, but work is continuing to gather pace around more departures.
Jonny Evans has assumed control of loan moves since retiring at the end of last season and Daily Mail Sport understands initial talks have been held for Toby Collyer to join Championship side Hull City on a season-long loan.
The Tigers have a strong track record with loan players having previously helped develop the likes of Fabio Carvalho, Liam Delap and Tyler Morton, and they are keen to bolster their midfield with the signing of Collyer.
Talks are at an early stage, and there is competition from Sheffield Wednesday too, but Collyer is open to going out on loan this season with minutes difficult to come by without European football on United's schedule.
Collyer, 21, enjoyed a breakthrough season after making his debut in the Community Shield against Man City a year ago, playing 13 times.
But United remain in the market for a new midfielder, specifically Brighton's Carlos Baleba, and with captain Bruno Fernandes set to play in the midfield pivot, Collyer going out on loan is seen as the best possible outcome for all parties.
‘I'll sit down with the manager and higher-ups and see what's the best solution; the best way for me to develop, whether it's stay here or go on loan,' Collyer said last month on United's US tour. 'The end goal for me is to play as many minutes as possible here, hopefully starting every week.'
A loan move is also edging ever closer for young left back Harry Amass, with Daily Mail Sport able to reveal that PSV Eindhoven are making a push to beat competition in the Championship.
Talks are ongoing with Sheffield Wednesday and given the fact United are not seeking any loan fee for Amass due to it being viewed as a ‘developmental loan’ - rather than one to try to boost Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR) calculations - there are more than a dozen offers.
PSV, managed by Peter Bosz, have made their pitch to Amass’ camp and given one of Amass’ closest friends in the United dressing room, Mason Mount, himself spent time on loan in the Netherlands as a youngster with Vitesse may help bolster their case.
Amass’ strength is his attacking capabilities from left back but United are keen to put him in a situation where he will be tested physically and technically on the defensive side of the game, which is why Wednesday - among the favourites to be battling relegation this season in the Championship - are hopeful he ends up in Yorkshire.
Elsewhere, teams in Scotland are making a concerted push to bring in Under 21s winger James Scanlon on loan before the window closes.
Scanlon has trained with the first team group multiple times in the past week and is a unique case in that he has been a full senior international since the age of 17 with Gibraltar.
While no talks are ongoing with any club and United’s preference to keep him around with the 21s, Scanlon remains one player who could be picked up very late in the window.
All eyes on Ricardo
United scout Alexandre Torres was in attendance for Internacional’s 1-1 draw with Fluminense last week, and Daily Mail Sport understands he had his eye on the former's 19-year-old striker Ricardo Mathias.
Mathias, who is under contract until 2028, has a £56.2million release clause and United are keen to place themselves at the front of the queue for a player many in Brazil feel has ‘superstar’ potential.
United moved quickly earlier this summer to land 18-year-old French striker Enzo Kana-Biyik after his contract expired with Le Havre.
But given the outlay it would take to land Mathias, there is limited expectation that this one will be sanctioned any time soon.
‘Little brother' Leon
Diego Leon is the talk of the United dressing room right now, with one source even describing him as the most popular player currently.
Leon, 18, arrived from Paraguay this summer and given he doesn’t speak English, many of the more senior pros have become fiercely protective of Leon.
There are many Spanish speakers in the United dressing room and they are going out of their way to help him settle in. MUTV even interviewed him in Spanish.
‘He’s like a little brother to a lot of these guys,’ one insider said. ‘They are giving him a bit of stick, having a laugh, but they are fiercely protective over him and are really looking after him.’
Leon’s arrival and bedding in period has opened the door for Harry Amass to leave on loan this season.
It remains undecided at this stage if Leon will top up minutes with the Under 21s across the season as he will largely play back-up to Patrick Dorgu.
Donnarumma is a no-go
News that Gianluigi Donnarumma has been left out of Paris Saint-Germain’s squad for their Super Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur this week caused a flurry of excitement among Manchester United fans.
But club insiders quickly told Daily Mail Sport that Donnarumma is not being actively pursued and that goalkeeper is not a priority position this summer.
Plan A for United this week is to have Andre Onana start against Arsenal and insiders have been full of praise for how hard the Cameroonian has worked to come back ahead of schedule, after suffering a hamstring injury during the first week of pre-season training.
While United admire a goalkeeper of Donnarumma’s level there has long been concerns about the wages it would take to get him, along with the fact that United’s priority is to allocate any funds generated from sales towards a new midfielder.
Ruben Amorim is understood to be more than comfortable with starting - and finishing - the season with Andre Onana in goal for United.
Chido still has role to play
Question marks have been swirling in academy circles as to whether the £73.7m arrival of Benjamin Sesko extinguishes all hope of Chido Obi seeing game time this season.
The 17-year-old broke into the United first team last season and while he didn’t find the back of the net, it was an encouraging first step and vindication for his decision to swap Arsenal for United.
But with Rasmus Hojlund’s exit being accelerated, club insiders have told Daily Mail Sport that there are currently no plans to push Obi out on loan.
Limited minutes mean the door isn’t totally closed if a compelling opportunity arises late in the window but the expectation as of today is that Obi remains with the first team group to continue developing in house.
Protest hits the rocks
Supporter group the 1958 have cancelled their planned protest ahead of the season opener against Arsenal after a backlash.
Their protest was widely panned by fellow supporters after plans were announced to march against minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe as well as the Glazer family.
Ratcliffe has invested £50m into upgrading the club’s Carrington training facility and is trying to invest in a significant first team overhaul in the transfer market with £200m spent already on a whole new attack of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
In the wake of criticism and a survey that delivered 62.7 per cent were not in favour of protesting against Ineos’ ownership, the group has announced the protest is off as they reflect.
‘For us, it has always been, and will always be, about the fans,’ a statement read. ‘About how we’re treated by the club and its owners. About protecting the future of Manchester United, affordable football for all (especially youth), safeguarding fan culture, and ensuring the next generation of supporters inherit a club run with responsibility and respect.
‘These long-term goals matter more to us than signings, glittery training ground refurbs or anything else. That’s where we’ve always stood and we make no apologies for it.’
‘Given the current sentiment within the fanbase and particularly in light of these recent survey results, it’s clear there is no unified view on the direction of the club under Ratcliffe.
‘That split is real, and we believe it would be irresponsible to risk creating a situation that could result in any “red on red” conflict inside or outside the stadium.’
Dalot relishing leadership role
Pressure will be on United’s players from the opening kick-off against Arsenal and a lot more onus will fall upon the six-man leadership group appointed by Amorim.
Bruno Fernandes had to be superman on and off the pitch last season to sort so many issues and the hope this time around is his workload, at least off the pitch, can be reduced by committee.
Diogo Dalot, one member of the leadership group, is eager to step up.
‘It obviously brings you even more responsibility,’ the Portuguese said. ‘I think one of the reasons why that happened is because of the way I am.
‘So I try to be the same person, but obviously it brings you even more responsibility because we're talking about a very good group of players with different personalities that I think we can try to create a culture where we demand the maximum from our teammates, from ourselves as well.
‘But we have to be the first ones to give the example. I think that's the best way that I like to lead also.
‘We have to be the first ones to show to everyone where we want to put the club back on top and then try to put everyone in the same. Like we say in Portugal, everyone is in the same boat.’
Beer we go
A lot was made of increased beer prices when fans headed back inside Old Trafford at the weekend for the friendly against Fiorentina.
United have discounted stadium beers for the past two seasons but have had to shelve that due to a significant hike in operating costs.
500ml bottles of Carling have shot up from £3.80 to £4.95, while a pint of Madri has increased from £3.80 to £5.75.
United now falls at 9th for the cheapest pint in the Premier League this season.
Loan watch: Radek Vitek
With 10 players currently out on loan, each week we will look to shine a light on a stand-out performer and there is no looking past goalkeeper Radek Vitek this week, who dazzled for Bristol City against Sheffield United.
Vitek faced six shots in the 4-1 win, made five saves with three of those saves coming from inside the box.
Team-mates as well as boss Gerhard Struber were full of praise for Vitek’s commanding display.
‘We can see his profile; he's a highly talented player with a high potential profile,’ Struber told reporters. ‘Of course, this is something special that he brings on the table.’