Manchester United Transfer News: Five Players Who May Depart Before the Close of the Transfer Window

While Sir Alex Ferguson is notoriously coy about his activities in the transfer market, there is reason to believe the Manchester United manager's assertions about their activity in the closing days of the transfer window.

"We definitely won't be buying anyone else, that is for sure," Ferguson assured reporters last week.

Ferguson's comment came at the unveiling of Dutch left-back Alexander Buttner, who followed the signings of Nick Powell, Shinji Kagawa, Robin van Persie and Angelo Henriquez this summer. The deals represented a sizable if not overwhelming outlay on new talent as United look to return to glory in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Yet, notably, Ferguson did not rule out any departures before Friday's deadline.

"There is no movement I can tell you about, to be honest with you," is all Ferguson would reveal.

The concerns over the Glazer family's running of the club have been well publicized and have increased in intensity over a summer in which financial details were laid bare as Manchester United floated on the New York Stock Exchange.

United's spending, particularly on Van Persie, may yet prompt departures before the close of the transfer window in order to help balance the books at Old Trafford. Here are four players who may be playing elsewhere by this time next week.

Nani
The Portuguese winger has yet to sign a new contract, with his current deal set to expire in less than two years. The delay in putting pen to paper has led to speculation throughout the summer that United could be set to cash in on the 25-year-old rather than grant him the pay rise that he is said to be demanding.

Speculation surrounding Nani has intensified in recent days, with Zenit St Petersburg publicly stating their intention to bring him to Russia. United's interest in Lucas Moura earlier in the summer suggested that Ferguson no longer viewed Nani as an integral member of the side. It would be a surprise were Nani to be sold at this late stage with little time to buy a replacement, but such a move cannot be ruled out.

Dimitar Berbatov
It is more than a little bizarre that Berbatov is still at Old Trafford. Ferguson's lack of faith in the Bulgarian forward has progressively increased since the club spent over £30 million to lure him from Tottenham four years ago in the hope that he would have a similar stylish impact as United legend Eric Cantona.

While Berbatov still has his fans and he finished as the joint leading scorer in the Premier League just over 12 months ago, it is painfully clear that he does not fit into United's playing style. A move away seems best for all concerned, but no club has seemingly been willing to match the 31-year-old's high wages.

Speculation had heightened that Fiorentina may finally end his Old Trafford misery, but the injury suffered by Wayne Rooney on Saturday may mean that Ferguson decides to keep the mercurial talent at his disposal for just a little bit longer.

Anderson
Each new campaign at Old Trafford has almost become synonymous with claims by fans and pundits alike that "this is a big season for Anderson." Since arriving from Porto five years ago the Brazilian midfielder has struggled to fulfill his talent and make a first-team place his own. Injuries, a seeming lack of dedication to his fitness as well as inconsistent form have doubtless frustrated Ferguson, especially given the club's weakness in central midfield in recent times.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Tottenham just this week and there must be a temptation to cash in on the player. However, the fact that he started against Fulham on Saturday suggests that this will once again be a pivotal campaign for Anderson.

Federico Macheda
When Macheda shot to prominence following a crucial goal on his debut as a 17-year-old, which he then followed up with another winner in his second appearance the following week, the future seemed bright for the Italian. But more than three years on and those two moments remain far and away the highlights of his still young career.

Loan spells at Sampdoria and Queens park Rangers have yielded little success and the now 21-year-old appears to be coming to something of a crossroads. The signing of Van Persie further reduces the first-team prospects of Macheda and a temporary move away seems a likely option. Turkish side Bursaspor have been linked with a season-long loan deal in recent days.

Bebe
Much mystery still surrounds the Portuguese forward, who joined the club out of nowhere for £7.4 million two years ago. Bebe arrived just five weeks after signing for Vitoria de Guimares from the Portuguese lower leagues, with Ferguson admitting to never having seen him play.

During his brief appearances in the United first team during his first season, Bebe often looked badly out of his depth. A loan move to Besitkas followed last season, but a cruciate ligament injury suffered early in his time in Turkey meant that he again missed the opportunity to show that he belonged at the top level of the game. The 22-year-old was involved in United's pre-season and even scored a late equalizer against Ajax Cape Town. But with little chance of Bebe featuring in the United first time anytime soon, a move away, either on loan or perhaps even permanently, seems likely.