Time might be running out, but Manchester United could still get a deal or two over the line before the January transfer window slams shut
Michael 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 riding a wave of confidence after securing two crucial, morale-boosting victories against Manchester City and Arsenal.
Even so, that does not necessarily mean that squad changes aren't afoot. With only a handful of days remaining before the January transfer window closes, United are running out of time to strengthen their team ahead of what is shaping up to be an encouraging second half of the campaign.
Having already invested more than £200million on fresh faces last summer, the Red Devils are not expected to spend big. Still, a bit of late business cannot be ruled out, with a number of high-profile players being linked with potential moves both into and out of Old Trafford. Here, MEN rounds up the latest transfer-related updates:
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Man Utd advised to hold off on Mainoo contract talks
Ex-United forward Louis Saha has called on the club to put contract discussions with Kobbie Mainoo on pause following his return to the starting XI this month. Mainoo looked destined for an exit in 2026 after slipping down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim, but he has started both of interim boss Michael Carrick's two games at the helm, indicating his spell on the fringes may be over.
The 20-year-old's United contract expires in 2027, and although negotiations over a new deal are continuing, Saha feels that stepping away from talks for now would benefit everyone, allowing Mainoo to concentrate solely on his performances.
"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.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo's Man United contract expires next year(Image: Getty Images)
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"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.
"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 transfers
Although the majority of United's 2026 transfer plans are expected to be carried out in the summer, Carrick has suggested that one or two deals could still be completed before the January deadline.
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has refused to rule out any late deals this window(Image: Getty Images)
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"I think we are just working through it, never say never," he said ahead of United's 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.
"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."
United have been left short on the left side after Patrick Dorgu recently suffered a hamstring injury. The Denmark international had been in excellent form, impressing on the left wing during wins over Arsenal and Manchester City, which has sparked debate over whether the club will dip into the market for additional 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."