There is one major concern that could prevent Manchester United from making any additions to their squad in January, with a preference to wait until the summer market.
Ruben Amorim has had two transfer windows as Manchester United head coach.
United signed five players in the summer, including Bryan Mbeumo and Senne Lammens.
There is no denying that United prioritised their attacking department after selling Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea, while Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund were among the players sent out on loan.
United fans are expected to see the midfield revamped in 2026, although there is also room for improvement in defence and attack.
Amorim will be eager to continue rebuilding the United squad, but it remains to be seen if any money will be spent on new players in January when the transfer window reopens midway through the 2025/26 season.
Ruben Amorim press conference
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Man Utd wary ahead of January transfer window
United signed two players last summer and agreed a deal in advance for Diego Leon from Cerro Porteno.
The defence was strengthened as Ayden Heaven joined as a hot prospect from Arsenal, and Patrick Dorgu came from Lecce to give Amorim more options at wing-back.
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United waited until the summer to do most of their spending, but it’s set to be the same in 2026 because they are aware that the winter market is for sellers more than buyers.
ESPN reporter Rob Dawson was asked if he thinks United will make any signings in January, when he told The Football Reporters podcast: “I think it’s possible. The one message that we keep getting from Man United is that, obviously, it’s very important that they sign the right players, but it’s also just as important that they don’t sign the wrong players. And there is this kind of worry that, because of the nature of the January window, it is a seller’s market.
“I think we all know that January lends itself to transfer mistakes, and that they wouldn’t want to be in a situation where they’ve spent some of the money in January. For whatever reason, that deal looks like it’s not working out, and you get to the summer, and maybe the money you’ve set aside for an Elliot Anderson or an Adam Wharton has been reduced because you’ve spent some of it in January.”
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is United’s top target, while Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton is also attracting attention for the right reasons.
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Ineos are not going to spend heavily in January if it’s going to negatively impact the club when the transfer window opens in the summer.
Who was Man Utd’s most expensive January transfer?
The most expensive January transfer made by United is Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes joined United from Sporting CP for an initial fee worth £47 million in 2020.
The Portuguese midfielder has been the most influential signing post-Sir Alex Ferguson, and he wears the captain’s armband under Amorim.
Fernandes has been linked with a move away from United in 2026 because there will be just one year left on his current contract.