Man Utd may have just confirmed another transfer exit as new contracts agreed

 Manchester United could be about to confirm another exit after handing out a new batch of professional deals. Ahead of the new season, the Red Devils have moved to secure the futures of several promising young players. Nine academy stars have been awarded first-year contracts and will continue their development at Carrington over the next 12 months.

Jacob Watson, Neithan Barbosa, Albert Mills, Louie Bradbury, Charlie Hardy, Cameron Byrne-Hughes, Jayden Ngwashi, Nathaniel-Junior Brown and Rafe McCormack have all signed professional terms at United this week. However, there was one curious omission from the list, with Godwill Kukonki nowhere to be seen.

The young defender was a member of the treble-winning under-18 side in the 2023/24 season, with his impressive displays earning him the opportunity to train with United's senior squad.

He was named in several matchday squads during the 2024/25 campaign and was also an unused substitute in the Europa League quarter-finals against Lyon.

Kukonki was a regular for the under-18s last season, also making the step up to the under-21s with eight appearances in Premier League 2.

However, given that he was seemingly overlooked for a new contract, it seems he could leave Old Trafford imminently. Kukonki hasn't been spotted on any of United's pre-season trips, putting his future at the club in further doubt.

Kukonki was initially expected to be offered a professional contract and there is still a chance he could be tied down by United.

However, the absence of his name on this week's list suggests the writing could be on the wall for the 18-year-old, just two seasons after he was on the brink of a first-team breakthrough.

Several other academy graduates could leave United in the not-too-distant future, with a number of young stars reportedly available for transfer.

Toby Collyer and Dan Gore have been put up for sale by the Red Devils, according to The Sun, with the latter "almost certain" to leave on a permanent basis.

Collyer, meanwhile, had unsuccessful loans at West Bromwich Albion and Hull City in the Championship last season, seeing both spells disrupted by injuries.

Ethan Wheatley and Harry Amass have also been linked with potential exits before the end of the summer window.

United are said to be asking for £6million in exchange for Amass, who started last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday before joining Norwich City in January.