Manchester United defender set to leave in the first week of January window

Sergio Reguilon is returning to Tottenham Hotspur after Manchester United opened doors for the defender to depart Old Trafford in the first week of the January transfer window.

The news of Sir Jim Ratcliffe arriving in Manchester today to hold meetings at Old Trafford and Carrington for the first time as United’s minority stakeholder has coincided with the reports of Reguilon’s departure, whose arrival in the summer once again pointed toward the club’s broken transfer strategy.

Days before the close of the summer window, the Red Devils scrambled in the transfer market for a new left-back following injury to Luke Shaw. Tyrell Malacia was already sidelined for the long term at the time. Instead of trusting their academy talent, Alvaro Fernandez, United looked for a short-term fix in Marc Cucurella before finally making a move for his Spanish compatriot in North London.

Sergio Reguilon set for Manchester United exit

However, United welcomed Reguilon on loan from Tottenham Hotspur by inserting a break clause that gave them the option to cut short his loan move.

With Luke Shaw now available (he did miss the Nottingham Forest outing, but is not expected to be absent for long) and Malacia nearing a return, United don’t require Reguilon’s services anymore.

Accordingly, as per The Athletic, they’ve triggered the said break clause to end his loan stint. The Spain international returns to Spurs after making 12 appearances for United in all competitions.

The 27-year-old has only appeared for one club this season, meaning he could still play for another side; that seems the most likely option. Borussia Dortmund are understood to be interested in signing him for the second half of the season.

This is the second first-team exit at United, who recently confirmed Donny van de Beek’s loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt.