Manchester United face a crucial few weeks in the January transfer window.
It will be the first chance to break into the squad since the managerial change in November and a constructive month could be the difference between a resurgent second half of the season and a potential worst Premier League finish.
United won’t fix themselves in a single mid-season transfer window, but there’s no time like the present to start addressing the issues.
There won’t be a massive outlay, largely because there is famed availability and/or value in the January market, but also because clubs everywhere need to be more careful with financial decisions so they don’t risk breaching the regulations
These are the key positions United could look to target in the coming month.
Left-back has been a problematic position since the end of the 2022/23 campaign. Luke Shaw has missed so much football through injury and Tyrell Malacia, who was always more of a squad player than a regular starter, is still recovering from over a year on.
Diogo Dalot has filled in often, but it takes away his depth on the right and is not a long-term solution.
Key objectives
United have been linked Hungary International Milos Kerkez in the past, although Premier League players tend to be more expensive as a general rule. It may also be difficult to convince him to leave Bournemouth at this time. from Fulham Antonee Robinson has express interest in a transfer to challenge himself, with star of Brest Bradley Locke also linked.
Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves is a proven Premier League player, but again, expensive.
With Marcus Rashford he may be nearing the end of his career at Old TraffordUnited could soon be short on the left of attack. Alejandro Garnacho is the other option, while Bruno Fernandes has switched between that and a midfield position.
Mason Mount was also an option, but he’s been ruled out again for “several weeks,” so depth is lacking without a backup.
Key objectives
Former Manchester City star Leroy Sane has been repeatedly linked with an exit from Bayern Munich due to his expired contract with the Bundesliga. January would be their last chance to collect a transfer fee for the Germany international if he wants to leave.
There has been speculation in Italy that Juventus could be willing to sell 19-year-old talent Kenan Yildiz to raise funds for other parts of the workforce.
One of United’s biggest problems this season has been putting the ball in the back of the net – even against Bournemouth last time out, their xG was significantly higher despite losing 3-0. The team’s 21 goals in 17 Premier League games is an average of 1.2 per game, which pales in comparison to Liverpool’s average of 2.3.
Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have shared time on the pitch since Amorim took over in November, usually depending on how the opposing boss sees each game. They have shown potential, but United need more firepower and competition.
Key objectives
If money were no object, the obvious ideal would be Victor Gyokeres. The prolific Swede was transformed into Europe’s hottest striker under Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP and his production has suddenly slowed since the manager left Lisbon for Manchester last month.
The main issue is getting Gyokeres for less than his €100m (£83m) release clause at a time when budgets have to be a real consideration due to the PSR.
United have used the loan market to plug gaps in recent years, although it hasn’t worked massively given the players they have come across – Odion Ighalo and Wout Weghorst. If Paris Saint-Germain would be willing to leave Randal Cole Muani go on loan, that might be worth exploring.
