Manchester United didn’t make any permanent signings in January, which was expected, but they added to the squad in the form of an exciting midfielder they recalled to Old Trafford.
Four loans were sanctioned on deadline day, as James Scanlon, Gabriele Biancheri, and Jacob Devaney found the first senior professional club of their career.
Ethan Wheatley earned himself a promotion from Northampton to Bradford City, but there is a sense of dread that Man Utd have left themselves short in the midfield area.
Man Utd chose NOT to make any signings mid-season… Are you worried this is a mistake?
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However, a player they recalled from loan on deadline day could be the ‘hidden’ deadline day move that Michael Carrick can nurture between now and the end of the season.
Jack Moorhouse playing for Man Utd on postseason tour
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Man Utd recalled Jack Moorhouse from loan
Generally, recalling a player from loan and not sending him back out is a worrying sign of the player not being able to handle that level of football.
Jack Moorhouse’s situation at Leyton Orient was certainly a bit worrying, as he was struggling for minutes at the League One club despite starting well.
He had played 45 and 22 minutes respectively in Orient’s last two games, which followed a run of three games without any minutes.
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Moorhouse has been highly rated in the academy, but his struggles to adjust at Orient, combined with Orient adding former United academy man Dylan Levitt, meant United acted.
The recall might have been an action borne out of a crisis, but there is an opportunity for Moorhouse to surprise everyone.
Moorhouse can be of use to Michael Carrick
It’s easy to write off Moorhouse now that he “failed” at the League One level, but player development is never linear.
Can anyone say for sure that Marcus Rashford would have flourished on loan at a League Two side before getting an opportunity in an injury crisis at Man Utd?
Which loan move are you most optimistic about being a success?
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The reality is, some players’ skill sets are better suited to playing in a better team, and Moorhouse fits that template perfectly.
His ball-carrying skills and silkiness are the antithesis of the skill set required in League One, and could translate better to senior football.
At a time when United’s defensive midfield options look empty post-Casemiro, Moorhouse has a fine coach in Michael Carrick to learn from.
He’ll almost certainly train with the senior team now, and Carrick could be tempted to give him some of Ugarte’s minutes, or to rest Mainoo in the odd game by sending Moorhouse off the bench.
It’s not beyond belief that he might look much better in a Man Utd side than he would in a Leyton Orient team in League One.
Moorhouse’s senior career is at its lowest, but it might lead to the highest point of his career if things fall into place.
There aren’t many people better equipped to rate a midfielder’s potential than United’s current head coach.
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