United in Focus writers make their predictions for the upcoming January transfer window.
The January transfer window could be crucial for Erik ten Hag this season. With a plethora of injuries in the first-team squad, the Red Devils could certainly be in the market for a player or two to bolster their trophy-winning chances.
The catch? Manchester United simply do not have cash to spend, with FFP regulations limiting them to spending big, unless there are a few potential sales.
With all this considered, the United in Focus writers all predict what they think will happen over the January transfer window at Old Trafford.
Dan Coombs
Dan Coombs wants Manchester United to sign a striker, send some younger prospects out on loan and believes one player has to go ‘no matter what’.
United have learned not to over-promise, still scarred by Ed Woodward. That said, I still expect them to under-deliver. There is a huge amount needed, an absolute priority needs to be to sign a striker and take some pressure off Rasmus Hojlund.
I wouldn’t expect any urgency from the club, they will want to explore the selling market first. Incomings will likely come after the team’s one league game in January.
There is speculation over Casemiro and Raphael Varane leaving, but my feeling is that United will stick with them both until the end of the season rather than cashing in. Anthony Martial could be given away if we can find a buyer, and Jadon Sancho has to go, no matter what. Sergio Reguilon might not be kept on if Tyrell Malacia can get fit.
I can see lots of loan deals for young players too, the likes of Shola Shoretire and Radek Vitek need to test themselves. No European football could also mean any of Facundo Pellistri, Amad, and Hannibal end up being loaned out to get regular playing time.
There is a worst-case scenario that United sell Casemiro and Varane and don’t sign any replacements in January, preferring to wait until the summer. Keeping hold of Martial would be a bad decision too, we need to be firm and get rid.
Keeping him is an excuse not to sign a striker. If I had to choose a dream January signing I’d pick Ivan Toney, Premier League experience, a point to prove, and a physical threat. He could make an immediate impact up front.
Adnan Riaz
Adnan Riaz is expecting a rather quiet January transfer window for Manchester United, with the potential addition of maybe some loanees, but is also worried about the goalkeeper position with Andre Onana heading to AFCON.
The burning question on every Manchester United fan’s mind is what type of business will the Premier League club do in the January transfer window.
United don’t usually make their big-name signings midway into a Premier League campaign, with the Red Devils often busier in the summer window.
However, Erik ten Hag has seen his United squad depleted with injuries and the Red Devils might need to do some business to ensure that the former Ajax boss has additional squad depth at his disposal.
United could potentially take the route of getting loan players through the door at Old Trafford, similar to how Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst arrived at the club last season in January.
Raphael Varane’s future at Old Trafford is still up in the air and the United defender has attracted interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia this season. But, of course, all eyes will be on what happens next to Jadon Sancho and if the United outcast is loaned out in January.
The biggest concern is Andre Onana potentially missing a run of United fixtures when he represents Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Altay Bayindir remains untested between the sticks at United and it remains unclear if Ten Hag would turn to him or Tom Heaton in Onana’s absence.
Kieran Smith
Kieran Smith desperately wants a striker to compete with Rasmus Hojlund but isn’t getting his hopes up. He also believes the Jadon Sancho deal needs to be done and dusted quickly.
Given the plethora of injuries handed to Erik ten Hag’s squad so far this season, United should be extremely active in January – however, I’m sure this won’t be the case.
The priority position simply needs to be a striker. With funds few and far between unless United sell, my ideal option would be Bundesliga goal-getter Serhou Guirassy, for a supposed £17m.
Regarding outgoings, to fund this I’d shift Jadon Sancho as soon as possible. He doesn’t have a future at Old Trafford, and the fiasco needs to end imminently.
I’d also send some youngsters on loan without European football and Carabao Cup opportunities. Hannibal, Amad, Dan Gore and Faundo Pellistri in particular I think would benefit from some time away.
I’d quite like Casemiro and Varane to stay. They still have parts to play at Manchester United. Other than this – January should be quiet. The real fun should occur in the summer.
Shaun Webbley
Shaun Webbley thinks January will be quiet at Old Trafford. He wants the Jadon Sancho debacle resolved and gives an interesting viewpoint as to whether no signings may very well be the answer.
It seems to me that the January transfer window, which is always viewed by United with reticence, will be a very quiet month. Unless there are some major player sales, the money just does not look to be available for signings.
I think the primary objective for January will be to sort out the Jadon Sancho situation. Something has to give with the Englishman’s future, a loan deal with an option to buy seems the most likely outcome at this moment in time.
Anthony Martial’s future will also be a priority with the Frenchman free to leave in the summer. United simply have to try and get a fee for the former AS Monaco forward.
United signed Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst last January. These signings were meant to improve the squad but the pair struggled.
Perhaps making no signings and promoting from within is the best way forward. The club have some gems in the youth academy who look ready for more involvement.
Jonny Maze
Jonny Maze is also in agreement Sancho will be off, but would be happy with Serhou Guirassy coming in to provide competition for Rasmus Hojlund.
I think that United won’t be spending a fortune in January. John Murtough insisted on this recently when he said, “we are not expecting it to be particularly busy.”
January seems to be a window in which the focus will be on departures rather than incomings – Donny van de Beek and Jadon Sancho in particular – but a signing or two could be on the cards.
I’d love to see United sign a centre-half as it’s a real problem area right now with Jean-Clair Todibo the clear target. Along with that, a striker would be an ideal move to take the pressure off Rasmus Hojlund, possibly where interest in Serhou Guirassy comes in.
Ultimately, January depends on the new footballing structure following the takeover being put in place.
Olly Dawes
For Olly Dawes in his Manchester United January transfer predictions, he also waves goodbye to Sancho but believes nothing more will be done. However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe will have a huge influence going forward.
Financial Fair Play remains an issue and I don’t see United making sweeping changes in the middle of the season despite the clear need for new signings.
Donny van de Beek is on his way to Eintracht Frankfurt on loan and I think we may see Jadon Sancho join him in Germany.
Beyond that, it’s difficult to see much more business being done unless a big exit – I’m thinking Raphael Varane or Casemiro – materialises in the coming weeks.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe coming on board means he’ll take the next few months to analyse the United squad alongside his advisors.
That could set United up for a big summer window in 2024, but January may be a little quiet with big spending unlikely to materialise.
Completely ignoring January would feel like a missed opportunity after a disappointing season so far, but Ratcliffe and co will probably take the slow and steady approach rather than come in all guns blazing.
Danny Owen
Danny Owen believes Serhou Guirassy is ‘too good to miss’ for the Red Devils and also believes Ratcliffe’s full effect will be felt in the summer.
Like in the summer, United’s business will be dictated by FFP. Expect to see the club sell before they buy, with Jadon Sancho, Antony Martial and co likely to be moved on before big bids can be made for a Jean-Clair Todibo, for instance.
United will buy – if they can. Don’t be surprised if Ten Hag is limited, again, to short-term quick fixes, and loan deals though Serhou Guirassy’s £17 million release clause feels like it may be an opportunity too good to miss for a club short of funds. Guirassy is one of Europe’s most in-form strikers.
Fortunately, it seems that an elite-level sporting director is being prioritised by Ratcliffe, though United are likely to see the potential benefits in July rather than January.
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