Man United January transfer window, predicted by AI.placeholder image
Man United January transfer window, predicted by AI. | Getty Images
Manchester United will hope to make significant additions in the remainder of the January transfer window
Manchester United are aiming to launch a siege on the Champions League spots this season and could use the January transfer window to their advantage as the Red Devils look to make key squad improvements this month.
Following last season’s 15th-placed finish, a return to Europe’s premier club competition will hardly have been the expectation for this season but an opportunity has opened up amidst the struggles of the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur. Under new head coach Michael Carrick, United earnt the best possible start with a 2-0 win in the Manchester Derby and will hope to carry forward that level of performance into the remainder of the campaign.
We asked AI to predict what the remainder of Man United’s January transfer window could look like, with some interesting results and notable incomings and outgoings to leave Carrick’s squad with a fresh feel for the spring run-in at Old Trafford.
Man United’s January window arrivals - according to AI
We asked X’s Grok AI to predict the transfer moves United could make later this January window, and their first port of call was to state that midfield reinforcement remains the priority following control issues in the middle of the park faced by the Red Devils this season.
Several potential options have been touted over recent weeks and months, but AI identify a potentially low-cost, low-risk option for United to sign in this window in the shape of AC Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Reports from talkSPORT state that United have been ‘offered’ the chance to sign the 29-year-old former Chelsea and England star, who is thought to be ‘keen’ to return to the Premier League amidst hopes of making Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad next summer.
AI states this is a strong, realistic link for a short-term boost to United’s midfield without significant financial strain. A loan deal for Loftus-Cheek is proposed, while a modest permanent deal is also said to be a possibility. The two-time Premier League winner currently has a market value of just £8.7 million, according to Transfermarkt, and could be a useful addition for squad depth for United this month.
In addition, Grok predicts that United will make a move for Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown this month. The 22-year-old is a two-cap Germany international – his father is American, which explains the English-sounding name – and was linked with the Red Devils late in 2025, as previously relayed by ManchesterWorld.
A left-sided option remains on United’s radar and AI claim the Old Trafford club could launch a bid this month worth in the region of £20m-£35m, or a loan-to-buy, for the young full-back or wing-back, who has registered one goal and six assists for Frankfurt this season. Brown is viewed to have a high upside and potential to improve in the Premier League, with Frankfurt often willing to sell their star names if a suitable bid is received.
Meanwhile, Grok cites additional options United could pursue this month as including Al Hilal’s Ruben Neves on a loan deal, Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney who starred under Carrick at Boro, or even an unspecified Besiktas leader, likely to be their captain Wilfred Ndidi, who has been ‘discussed’ at United according to talkSPORT.
Multiple first-team players could exit Old Trafford this month, AI predicts
AI states that despite the natural focus on incomings, outgoings this month could be equally important for funding, financial compliance and squad trimming for United.
Harry Maguire is cited as a potential headline departure, with the 32-year-old England international linked with Serie A clubs such as Napoli, Inter Milan and Fiorentina.
Also noted is an Ajax enquiry for Manuel Ugarte, who has struggled to settle into life at Old Trafford and would be knocked down the pecking order by any potential midfield arrivals. Though AI states links with a move to Amsterdam are unlikely to progress far, it nevertheless cites that Ugarte is a candidate to depart this month if a suitable bid is received.
While no further permanent exits are predicted, AI adds that youth team or fringe players could be loaned out by the Red Devils for further experience and to free up space on the wage bill for arrivals.
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