Jason Wilcox has reportedly suddenly cancelled the transfer of Tyrell Malacia, who was due to leave Manchester United on deadline day.
Manchester United are not expected to make any significant moves in the January transfer window, as the club would rather save their targeting for the summer market.
It is widely known that United are looking to sign at least two midfielders this summer as well as a left winger and possibly new full-backs.
But, with none of the side’s first-choice targets available this month, the club have foregone the decision to sign emergency replacements, feeling that Michael Carrick’s squad has enough depth to finish the season strongly.
Following the sacking of Rúben Amorim, United have felt it would be better to postpone first-team signings until they have a clearer vision of the club’s long-term head coach replacement.
Wilcox blocks Malacia deadline day transfer
Tyrell Malacia has barely played for United since the summer, with Amorim initially placing him in a list of must-sell players.
However, moves to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Spain all fell through last year, leaving him as a reserve option in the first-team squad.
This month, he has been linked with several Turkish sides, and according to Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof, was in the process of flying to Turkey to finalise a move to the Turkish Super Lig on deadline day.
However, in a bizarre twist, United’s Director of Football, Jason Wilcox, has suddenly called him back to Manchester and cancelled the deal, leaving the Dutchman frustrated after he made it clear he wanted the move.
Further, it’s explained that Malacia only had the medical left to complete. Barring any unexpected turn of events, it is now expected that he will leave as a free agent this summer.
Is no major changes the right decision for United?
It has been stated many times by all decision-makers at the club that they no longer want to engage in panic buys or last-minute loans, with the signings of Odion Ighalo, Marcel Sabitzer, and Wout Weghorst now seemingly a thing of the past.
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However, with United now playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation under Carrick, the club have just three midfielders who are naturally accustomed to the midfield two in Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, and Manuel Ugarte.
While the former two have been stunning this month, Ugaret is not thought of that highly in Red, and an injury to either of the starting players could cause a drastic drop in quality.
While it makes sense not to be engaged in consistent panics, not having a decent-quality back-up for two high-level midfielders in the squad could come back to bite United if an injury occurs to either.
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