Manchester United could have had a very different transfer window if Michael Carrick had been given the entire month of January to add to his squad
Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on February 01, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Manchester United's transfer window could've looked very different(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Manchester United chose not to add to their squad throughout the winter transfer window after spending big last summer.
The club have enjoyed an incredible start to life under Michael Carrick, winning all three games against Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham. A last-gasp winner from Benjamin Sesko on Sunday secured the three points and saw the side propel themselves back up into fourth place in the Premier League table.
With just 14 games left of the league season, the club's hierarchy will now wait until the summer before appointing a permanent manager and handing him some new players. But things could've been so different had Carrick been given the reins in the transfer window for the entirety of January.
With this in mind, the Manchester Evening News has looked at how an alternative winter window could've played out for United, with incomings and outgoings.
Marcus Rashford U-turn
Marcus Rashford has been on loan at Barcelona since the beginning of the season and has refound his form in Spain. With 20 goal contributions, the England international has been extremely impactful for his new club, especially in Europe.
Currently, Barcelona hold a £26million option to buy the forward in the summer. Given how settled the 28-year-old is, fans expect this clause to be triggered before the summer.
Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Elche CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on January 31, 2026 in Elche, Spain.
Marcus Rashford appears happy at Barcelona(Image: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
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Rashford left United temporarily during Ruben Amorim's reign at the club, with the attacker's strained relationship with his manager playing a major role. At one point, Amorim claimed he would rather play his goalkeeping coach than a player not giving their maximum in training.
Shortly after, Rashford went on loan to Aston Villa and now plies his trade in Spain. But with Amorim gone and former team-mate Carrick in the frame, it's been suggested the academy graduate could be convinced to return to Old Trafford.
The Telegraph reported that if Carrick retains his job beyond the summer, he would be keen to see Rashford return to Manchester. It could have taken some convincing, but joining back up with the club he's known all his life under Carrick may have been a key boost for United in the winter window.
£80million midfielder signed
United's midfielders have been performing exceptionally since Carrick took over. Captain Bruno Fernandes and departing star Casemiro have been providers for four goals in three games, with the Portuguese star notching up his 200th goal contribution against Fulham on Sunday.
Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on January 25, 2026 in London, England.
Adam Wharton remains a key target(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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Kobbie Mainoo hasn't been prolific in front of goal, but his composure and direct nature have seen him gain plenty of praise throughout his return to the squad. But this type of performance is hard to keep up and Carrick may have been tempted to splash the cash on reinforcements in January.
Adam Wharton is a name that has been thrown about as one United are interested in alongside Liverpool, City and Newcastle. Crystal Palace have established a significant price tag for the 21-year-old, particularly considering his contract runs until 2029.
A beginning fee that has been reported is around £65m but this is likely to rise to over £80m due to the sheer amount of interest in the midfielder. United are aware of the other clubs sniffing around and could've just fired in a huge bid to warn off other suitors.
With Oliver Glasner leaving in the summer and fellow Palace hero Marc Guehi already off to City, the club's hierarchy could've tested the Eagles' resolve with an £80m offer that would've got ahead of the game.
Kobbie Mainoo bombshell
Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Tom Cairney of Fulham during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on February 01, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Kobbie Mainoo has returned to his old self under Carrick(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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As previously mentioned, Mainoo has become the engine of Carrick's midfield. He has started all three games under the ex-United captain, a big jump from his extremely limited appearances under Amorim.
But if another midfielder were signed, his future could've been plunged into further doubt. Mainoo had already been attracting interest in the transfer window and was reportedly keen on making a temporary move in order to secure more game time.
The 2026 World Cup was also a crucial factor for a move for the 20-year-old as he fights to make it into Thomas Tuchel's England squad in the summer. If he had stayed as a rarely used substitute under the former Middlesbrough manager, Mainoo likely would've pushed for a transfer away from United.
With serious interest from Napoli, Chelsea, and Barcelona earlier in the window, it wouldn't have been too far-fetched to consider the possibility of United losing another homegrown star quickly.