With the clock ticking down in the January transfer window, Manchester United don't have long left to get a deal or two over the line
Carrick
Michael Carrick has made a fabulous start to his interim spell in charge of Man United(Image: Nigel French/Allstar, Getty Images)
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Manchester United are flying high after clinching a couple of vital, feel-good wins over Manchester City and Arsenal. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that changes aren't afoot.
With just a few days before the January transfer window slams shut, United are rapidly running out of time to bolster their squad ahead of what's shaping up to be a promising second half of the season. After spending over £200million on new recruits in the summer, the Red Devils aren't expected to splurge.
Man Utd told to pause Mainoo contract talks
Former United striker Louis Saha has urged the club to temporarily shelve contract negotiations with Kobbie Mainoo following his return to the starting line-up this month. Mainoo looked certain for a departure in 2026 after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim, but has started both of interim head coach Michael Carrick's two matches in charge, suggesting that his days on the sidelines are over.
The 20-year-old's United contract expires in 2027 and while talks over an extension are ongoing, Saha believes it will be best for all parties if they step back from the negotiating table for the time being and focus on Mainoo's football instead.
"People talk about contracts and stuff like this, you know, it's not good for him," Saha told gambling.com. "What he has to do is score more goals, assist more, play well and progress. That's it.
"He's only a young player who, yes, maybe played for England - and has a World Cup to look forward to. He has to improve. That's it. Why are they thinking about contract extension, moving away, looking at [Scott] McTominay's career or whatever? It's wrong. Just play, just play, just play, improve every day. It's two games, that's not enough.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo's contract expires next year(Image: Getty Images)
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"He needs to score maybe ten goals, and then become the main man in midfield with Casemiro - and then people will give him the contract he wants. That's it. He doesn't need anyone else to speak about this extension, and think about this now.
"It's just about focusing on this game. He hasn't played for many months. He was on the bench. Now it's time for consistency. Get 15 games under his belt, bring him to the World Cup and see how it goes."
Carrick hints at late transfer activity
While most of Man United's 2026 transfer plans are expected to be conducted in the summer, Carrick has left the door ajar for one or two deals to be completed before the January window closes.
"I think we are just working through it, never say never," he said speaking ahead of United clash with Fulham on Sunday. "A lot can happen and situations can be thrown up. Sometimes it is in our control, sometimes it is out of our control that we have got to deal with.
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has refused to rule out any late deals this window(Image: Getty Images)
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"We are calm, I am pretty calm. We have got and we have shown what we are capable of doing as a team. We will have to see what the next few days bring. But we are calm about it."
Patrick Dorgu's recent hamstring injury has left United short of options on the left flank. The Denmark international had been in impressive form, excelling on the left wing in victories over both Arsenal and Man City, raising questions over whether the club will now look to the transfer market for cover.
"It is not ideal, of course it is not, we don't want to lose good players from the group," Carrick said. "That is part of having a squad and assembling a squad to be able to cover certain things. We have got players who can do that. It is the nature of the beast, unfortunately."
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