Manchester United technical director Jason Wilcox in conversation with former sporting director Dan Ashworth
Manchester United technical director Jason Wilcox in conversation with former sporting director Dan Ashworth
Manchester United seem to be in a constant state of turbulence this year with 2024 ending very much like it began - with uncertainty.
At the start of the past 12 months, United were waiting patiently for Sir Jim Ratcliffe to complete his minority purchase of the club. In the middle of the year, all the talk was on Erik ten Hag's future.
Now, Dan Ashworth's replacement as sporting director is the big topic of conversation if, that is, he is replaced at all. Whether Ineos decide to promote someone in-house into the role or employ an outsider into the club, remains to be seen, but whoever is tasked with recruitment and transfers in January has a number of priorities that need addressing urgently.
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MEN Sport has taken a closer look at what should be on the agenda for not only the next month but the end of the season too.
Outgoings
While it is not always the most thrilling matter to supporters, there is an acceptance that outgoings will be needed first before talk can turn to incomings. There is also a general acceptance that Ruben Amorim needs funds to shape the squad in his image and considering Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions, sales will be needed.
From our perspective, there are three obvious sales that must be sanctioned in January, if possible. First up is Antony.
The Brazilian has never quite settled in the Premier League even when his Ten Hag was in charge. His chances of settling look even slimmer now the Dutchman has gone and Amorim is in the dugout.
Victor Lindelof has little future at United either with his contract expiring at the end of the season. Jose Mourinho was thought to be keen on a reunion in the summer, perhaps he could be persuaded again in January to get the Swede off the books early for a minimal fee.
Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen
Finally there is Christian Eriksen. The Dane played in Amorim's opening game against Ipswich Town but has not had a look in since.
Like Lindelof, his deal is up at the end of the season so a minimal fee is the best that United could hope for in January. But, considering he joined on a free transfer, that is less of necessity albeit another wage being freed up would be welcomed.
Incomings
Assuming there is some cash in the coffers after the outgoings have been completed, the priority will turn to new additions. Two new signings will most likely not be made in January due to Amorim's insistence on not poaching Sporting players midway through the campaign.
However, deals for Viktor Gyokeres and Geovany Quenda will need to be priorities in January ahead of what will sure to be a busy summer. Gyokeres is the centre-forward United have been crying out for, for at least the past two seasons.
The Reds just don't have that threat at the top of the pitch who can perform consistently and it is hard to argue that Joshua Zirkzee will be that guy or that Rasmus Hojlund is there yet. Quenda meanwhile is more for the future and it is clear that Amorim thinks a lot of him after promoting him into Sporting's ranks.
Amad is currently at a level where Quenda will not be forced into the starting XI straightaway and instead will be allowed to settle into the Premier League patiently. One signing that could be sorted in January though is RB Leipzig's David Raum.
The left-side of the pitch is of huge concern at the moment and there are few players better in that position in Europe than Raum. Sadly, it seems unlikely that Shaw will ever return to the player he once was before the injuries so Raum's addition makes a lot of sense for Amorim's long-term plan.
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