Manchester United must break trend of recent January transfer windows

Manchester United have had a faltering first half of the season and Erik Ten Hag’s squad may need to be bolstered if they are to seriously compete for Champions League qualification this season.

However, United’s transfer plans are looking increasingly unknown, with no date formally set for Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS takeover. Erik Ten Hag admitted only two days ago that he had not yet spoken to INEOS.

Uncertainty over ownership means a large January spending spree is highly unlikely for the Red Devils. Nevertheless, United’s recent winter transfer windows have rarely involved substantial spending, with mixed success in the past five years.

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2022/23

Manchester United signed three players on loan - Wout Weghorst, Marcel Sabitzer, and Jack Butland.

Sabitzer was the most successful of the trio. Signed on deadline day from Bayern Munich, he became the first Austrian to ever play for the Old Trafford side. The midfielder acted as a replacement to the injured Christian Eriksen. He scored in the FA Cup quarter final win against Fulham, a brace in the Europa League quarter final against Sevilla, and came off the bench as United won their first trophy in six years, with Ten Hag’s men lifting the Carabao Cup in February.

Following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, United signed Weghorst as extra attacking support. They paid Burnley a £2.6 million loan fee for his services. The six-foot-six striker worked hard but failed to score a single league goal in his 17 appearances at the club. He also started the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.