Essential Manchester United Transfer News For The January Transfer Window
Manchester United transfer news paints just as sad a picture as their showings in the league this season. So much was promised, yet so little was delivered. Just looking at Manchester United’s expected performances versus their actual performances this season would make any fan want to cry.
So the question beckons: how can Manchester United improve their current situation in the January transfer window? With an injury-ridden squad, there are several positions where the Red Devils could look to bolster their squad.
Manchester United Transfer News: Forwards
With Jadon Sancho returning to Borussia Dortmund on a short-term loan deal until the summer and Antony Martial looking to be offloaded as well, Manchester United are in desperate need of an experienced forward to come in and help Rasmus Højlund out. It seems that INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe won’t be spending big just yet, partially due to Financial Fair Play rules and also because they need time to thoroughly analyse the existing squad.
According to ESPN, Manchester United’s transfer targets included a list of names you would expect from the Red Devils, with players like Timo Werner, Thomas Muller, and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting all linked with the club. However, Tottenham Hotspur have acted swiftly and reached an agreement with the former Chelsea man on a 6-month loan deal.
Realistically, the only deals Manchester Utd can do are the ones that involve little to no investment which makes out-of-favour players the most likely to come in. Choupo-Moting seems like the easiest deal to do, however, Bayern would prefer a full sale as the Ghanaian’s contract is up in the summer.
Rumours have also linked Rafa Silva as a potential option to arrive and help bolster Erik Ten Hag’s attacking options. Whichever direction the club take, it will most likely be a short-term loan option.
Midfield:
Manchester United already have several midfielders in the squad, yet it has been an area they have struggled to dominate the entire season. Scott McTominay has emerged as an unlikely source of goals, but it’s clear he isn’t the right profile of a player who can come in to do the job Kobbie Mainoo or Sofyan Amrabat can do. As money is hard to come by, it seems unlikely the club will do any deals that can be deemed surplus to requirements.
Recent reports have suggested that the club could make a move for Ecuadorian Starlet Óscar Zambrano. Bournemouth has lodged their interest as well and for a fee of around £5million, it seems Man Utd could have a repeat of the Moises Caicedo Situation on their hands.
With Donny van de Beek having moved to Eintracht Frankfurt and Hannibal Mejbri on the verge of a move away this January, it feels like the club will add another midfielder to their squad before the January transfer window ends.
Defence:
With Johnny Evans slowly becoming a mainstay in the Manchester United backline, it might be time to find replacements. Harry Maguire has resurfaced and quietly had a decent season, but with Lisandro Martinez’s injury concerns and Raphael Varane’s uncertain future, the club should be looking to work on a move for a center back.
If the club can find a suitor to take on Varane’s wages, they could move for Jean Claude Todibo which should be an easy deal to do considering Sir Jim’s affiliation with Nice. But keeping in check with reality, it’s more likely that Varane stays and United won’t do much in this department. With the promotion of Willy Kambwala in the first-team set-up and Man Utd’s lack of games, they might not feel it’s necessary to spend on a defender in January and wait for better options in the summer window.
The club has also been linked with a move for £51 million-rated Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini; however, the deal would be difficult to pull off unless some players are let go for high fees.
Manchester United’s transfer activity looks to be bleak for another January window, but there is hope that the club can offload some players on loan who need game time and bring in some cover for the positions that can be improved.
Read More Attacking Football:
- Who Is Amad Diallo? Unravelling The Story Of Manchester United’s Rising Star
- My Tactical Sunday: Chelsea vs Manchester City
- The Problem With Erik ten Hag
- How Many People Play Fantasy Premier League (FPL)?
- Kaide Gordon: What Has Happened With Liverpool’s Promising Star?
About The Author
