The official word from Manchester United is to expect a quiet January transfer window – but the truth is the club would somehow be even more dysfunctional than it seems if they weren’t planning any activity. Express Sport takes a look at three things United must do this winter to try and salvage a disastrous season.
Keep Casemiro until the summer
Casemiro joining the Saudi Arabian revolution in 2024 seems like a banker, but Erik ten Hag must wait until the summer to sanction his exit.
United are scarce as it is in midfield, and Donny van de Beek is joining Eintracht Frankfurt on loan on January 1. The majority of the Saudi spending will come in the summer, anyway.
Once Casemiro returns from injury in mid-January, United’s reduced workload due to their European exit should allow the 31-year-old to start regularly.
The prospect of a midfield three featuring Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes is too exciting to overlook.
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Cash in on two stars
There is a sense that United will have to sell to buy in January, but the first part of that strategy is easier said than done.
The Red Devils need to offload Jadon Sancho next month. He’s offered very little on the pitch since his £73million arrival in 2021, but his output is even lower while exiled at Carrington.
Anthony Martial should also be in the shop window. January presents the final opportunity to generate a transfer fee for the Frenchman before his contract expires in the summer.
Raphael Varane also faces an uncertain future ahead of his 2024 contract expiry. However, United should trigger Varane’s 12-month extension and move him on in the summer instead, when INEOS can influence his replacement.
Break emergency striker glass… again
United needed to dip into the transfer market last January after Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive exit a month beforehand.
In came Wout Weghorst on loan. The towering Dutchman regularly started games but scored just twice in the second half of the season.
With funds tight, Ten Hag may be restricted to loan deals again next month, and Rasmus Hojlund is desperate for a bit of competition.
United have been linked with Serhou Guirassy, Timo Werner and Donyell Malen, among others. They need fresh blood in attack.
