MEN: Medical today – Man United ‘agree‘ first deal of January window as wantaway star finally gets his wish

Posted Jan 7 2026, 6:15 by Isabel Ryan

INEOS chiefs watch on from the stands at Villa Park.

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Manchester United have green-lit their first deal of the January window in the form of Sam Mather moving to Kayserispor.

Manchester Evening News’ Steven Railston confirmed on Tuesday evening that the two clubs had ‘agreed’ terms for an undisclosed fee, spelling the end of the youngster’s Red Devils tenure.

Excl: United have agreed their first sale of the January transfer window. Sam Mather is set to sign for Turkish club Kayserispor 🇹🇷 #mufc https://t.co/2ZHj9gAFlg

— Steven Railston (@StevenRailston) January 6, 2026

Back in the dying embers of the summer window, Mather, whose contract with United runs until 2027, was on the verge of signing for the Turkish outfit until the transfer collapsed at the very final stages, leaving him dejected at Carrington and facing another half-season of academy action.

Sam Mather on cusp of Super Lig move

Sam Mather in action for Man United’s Under-21s. — (via MUFC’s official website)

MEN then verified last week that Kayserispor had revived their interest by submitting a new bid, with United now opening the door to the 21-year-old’s departure.

As a result, Mather will fly to Turkey later today to finalise his switch and undergo his medical. He will leave without making a senior appearance for United, despite taking part in first-team training on numerous occasions.

Could anyone follow Mather out the door?

Kobbie Mainoo looks disgruntled after Man United lose to Everton. — (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Elsewhere for United this month, fans had anticipated that both Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo would be on their way out after playing reduced roles since the campaign got underway.

Player	Appearances	Starts	Minutes played	Unused sub
Mainoo	11	0	212	4
Zirkzee	13	4	466	7

*Mainoo and Zirkzee in the Premier League this term (Transfermarkt)

However, Monday’s dismissal of Ruben Amorim has likely changed their stance, as both players will now be keen to see how they’ll be utilised by Darren Fletcher and the eventual long-term manager/caretaker manager.

Mainoo has been sidelined with a calf injury since mid-December, but will be chomping at the bit to make his return for the side’s upcoming run, starting with a home encounter against Burnley this evening.

Kobbie Mainoo is back on grass and has been training individually for a week now. He is making significant progress and is now closing in on a return from injury [@SullyTalkz]

— utdreport (@utdreport) January 5, 2026

On Sunday, the Reds kick off their FA Cup campaign against frequent bogey team Brighton and Hove Albion in M16.