We have to go back years since the arrival of Bruno Fernandes for the last time Manchester United accepted and finalized a definitive signing in the first team in January.
There was a wave of loans in Erik Ten Hag’s first year in charge, with Wout Weghorst, Marcel Sabitzer and Jack Butland joining temporarily, but United have largely kept their dust in the winter window. This January may end up being no different.
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Fernandes’ arrival in early 2020 follows United’s announcement of an £18. 9 million ($24 million) profit last year. Five consecutive losses followed, totalling £372. 8 million.
No longer a monetary giant capable of lavish spending on the team at each and every opportunity, hence the cost-cutting and belt-tightening seen across the club under minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
United are not expected to be busy in the January market but there is plenty of work to do to mould the squad into the image of new manager Ruben Amorim. If funds can be generated through sales and loans, reinforcements could arrive.
Amorim’s formula 3-4-3 shows the desire to recruit bands, with a concrete lack of functions in the left wing.
Tyrell Malacia is back after 18 months out through injury, but Luke Shaw’s fitness problems mean Amorim is still lacking duties on that flank.
Diogo Dalot deputy on the left, but is the central Maximum of United for the proper position. Amad also played in the rear, but highlighted up in the area with Amorim, while Ossir Mazraoui inspired as the right central defense.
United may also look to strengthen in midfield next year, the key focus being to help the existing squad adapt to Amorim’s methods.
United’s need for wings and Alphonso Davies’ expiring contract have brought the Bayern Munich left-back to Old Trafford, but even if he were to join as a free agent in the summer, his salary would be a stumbling block. it is not a priority objective.
United inserted a buy-back option when selling left-back Alvaro Fernandez to Benfica in a €9million (£7.5m; $9.4m) deal at the end of last season, and the 21-year-old has quickly established himself as a regular at the Estadio da Luz, playing every minute of their six Champions League games.
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Returning so quickly to a talent who failed to make a senior appearance at United would represent a climbdown, however, particularly as he would cost more than the fee they received during the summer.
Jarrad Branthwaite spoke of two formal offers from United over the summer, worth up to £45m plus £5m in add-ons, but Everton rejected both.
With Amorim’s formula requiring a centre-back and given Lisandro Martinez’s asymmetrical injury toll and separate form, a renewed interest in Branthwaite being governed, but one that has consistently been offered under Branthwaite’s worth this year, United cannot meet Everton’s demands.
In midfield, Atalanta’s Ederson has been monitored after the 25-year-old’s impressive displays in Serie A.
Maximum spending is probably required before any position, with the most intense hypothesis surrounding Marcus Rashford. The 27-year-old’s long-term appearance seems extended at Old Trafford after admitting it is a “new challenge” and he needs to take on the “next step” in his career.
United have been open to Rashford this year, as has been reported through Athletics in the past, but they are not rushing a January sale and their prestige as their highest-paid players with three and a half years remaining on their contract. complicates any game.
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Paris Saint-Germain have often been touted as a destination for Rashford but are not interested. Around Europe’s five major leagues, there is not much appetite for a move.
Rashford’s salary of more than £325,000 consistent with the week would constitute an impediment for Saudi League clubs, but sources, kept unnamed because they were legal to speak publicly, in Saudi Arabia, downplayed the links.
As my colleague David Ornstein reports in the larger move sheet, a loan needs to be more sensible.
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Napoli are keeping an eye on Harry Maguire’s scenario as he enters the final six months of his contract at Old Trafford. The 31-year-old may indicate a pre-contract with foreign clubs from Jan. 1, which may lead to headaches United’s ability to cause his one-year option.
While talks over extensions continue with Maguire and Amad, Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof are entering the final six months of their contract without a one-year renewal clause to trigger. Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton are also on expiring deals.
Those who are outside the love team can leave if United receives adequate offers. Antony has fulfilled his appearances under Amorim, but plays a minor role and aroused the interest of Real Betis in the last days of the summer window.
United allow several Academy players to go on loan in the January window to earn competitive first-team football.
Toby Collyer made three senior appearances this season under Ten Hag, as a substitute against Manchester City and Liverpool before starting in the 7-0 win against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, but an injury has curtailed his progress.
Collyer is attracting interest from league clubs on loan, but the 20-year-old Friday is more likely to remain to support the midfielder.
Like Collyer, Harry Amass has attracted pre-season attention, but despite his inclusion in first-team squads and United’s lack of features at left-back, the 17-year-old has failed to make a comeback. his senior Deyet again. AMASS may be allowed to move to earn the first senior minutes of his career, a permanent move is unlikely.
Dan Gore made two senior appearances last season but has struggled to get regular minutes at under-21 level this season due to injury. A loan to the Championship or League One for the second part of the season has been discussed.
Ethan Ennis, the 20-year-old winger, is also the subject of interest from League One and League Two clubs. Habeeb Ogunneye and Ethan Williams could also be sent out next month.
The agreement for left back Diego León, 17, from the Paraguayan Club Cerro Porteño is closed.
Leon is considered a signing in the same line as those of Sekou Kone and Chido Obi-Martin during the summer: an academy player for the first time with the prospect of becoming a talent of points in the first team.
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It’s also the kind of affordable deal United feels it deserves to explore given its limited budget and perhaps defines the type of incoming business to look forward to, if necessary.
Once complete, Leon can only join United in the summer due to post-Brexit regulations preventing Premier League clubs from signing under-18s from abroad.
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Another new face in the Academy is Emmanuel Ziro, a 16-year-old winger who has joined the CRE8Tive Football Academy, a grassroots programme in West London.
United also recently welcomed Charlotte’s Nimfasha Berchimas to Carrington for her trial. The American under-20 foreigner is only 16 years old and has already made 3 appearances in Major League Soccer this season.
United’s transfer dealings fell under the overall responsibility of sporting director Dan Ashworth once he started work back in July, with technical director Jason Wilcox also taking a key role alongside head of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves throughout the summer.
One of the points of Ashworth’s wonderful departure this month was that his role sometimes overlapped with that of Wilcox, an active executive leader for Omar Berrada, an interim head of recruiting for Christopher Vivell, and with input from the sporting director of INEOS. Sir Dave Brailsford to start.
They will all have a say in the signing negotiations over the next month, which is a far cry from Ten Hag’s first window when the United manager’s influence is key.
Amorim, as head coach as coach, will not have as much influence as his predecessor, but the first team’s objectives will need to be adjusted to his specific tactical direction if they are to succeed.
United were tight on the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations (PSR) last season, with their total pre-tax loss over three years coming in at £312.9million — a long way above the upper limit of £105m allowed, albeit before substantial deductions.
United took a sale of players before the accounting deadline of June 30 and insisted that they remain complying with the monetary regulations of the Premier League and UEFA.
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This season’s PSR cycle takes 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25, United’s record pre-tax loss of £149. 6m in 2021-22 no longer a component of the equation. Aid.
But last season the United lost almost the same amount (£ 130. 7 million). These margins are still almost as tight as they were last year by these dates and the club continues to pontificate the need for field in the market.
United allowed Scott McTominay to leave despite Ten Hag’s preference for him to stay, partially due to the benefits of selling academy players, who represent ‘pure profit’ in the accountancy books.
In the same way, and unlikely at this stage, a permanent sale of Rashford in January would also improve United’s chances of delivering.
(Main photos: Getty Images)