There was to be no Odion Ighalo-style last-gasp surprise in the transfer market for Manchester United, with the January window proving a particularly quiet one for those at Old Trafford.
With a permanent successor to Ruben Amorim yet to be named, the INEOS regime are set to wait until the summer to secure their leading targets, not least with next season's Champions League fate still to be decided.
A key factor in the lack of business in recent weeks was also United's early exit from the FA Cup, alongside the lack of European action, providing little need for Michael Carrick to rotate with just one game a week for the remainder of the season.
Man-Utd-dream-summer-XI-deadline-day
It is a squad game, but, barring injury or suspension, the starting XI will likely see little change over the coming weeks and months, with a fair few fates having already been decided heading into the summer window.
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An upcoming summer of uncertainty already has one definite outcome, with Casemiro announcing his looming exit upon the expiry of his contract in June.
INEOS might've thought they'd already signed the Brazilian's replacement, although patience is wearing thin with regard to fellow South American, Manuel Ugarte, with the Red Devils notably regressing with the 24-year-old on the pitch.
Indeed, as relayed by journalist Samuel Luckhurst, United have conceded 24 goals this season when the Uruguayan has been on the pitch, with the 2024 signing unsurprisingly being linked with an exit at the end of the campaign.
Manchester United's Matheus Cunha reacts after missing a chance to score as Manuel Ugarte looks on
It would be a surprise to see Ugarte still onboard heading into 2026/27, although there is still hope that Harry Maguire will pen an extension, with the Englishman currently heading toward free agency with just six months left on his own deal.
A starter in all three wins under Carrick, the 32-year-old remains a vital figure in this side when fit and firing, having become something of a clutch figure under Amorim with key goals against the likes of Leicester City, Lyon and Liverpool in 2025.
The man whom he lost the captaincy too, Bruno Fernandes, has also teased that a conversation will be had on his own future following the upcoming World Cup, although thankfully, the 31-year-old still has 18 months to run on his deal, easing the uncertainty somewhat.
The Portugal star, even if he does opt to leave this summer, will remain a central figure under Carrick between now and then, albeit with the same now true of everyone at the Theatre of Dreams.
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Adding to the pool above, there is of course United's loan contingent who will also most likely find a permanent home for next season, namely Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Rasmus Hojlund, while peripheral figures such as Tyrell Malacia and Altay Bayindir may also push for a more prominent role elsewhere.
Ruben-Amorim-Man-Utd-top-scorers-timeless
That could also be the case for one of the more high-profile members of the first-team squad, in the form of Joshua Zirkzee, with it difficult to see the Dutchman even starting another game between now and the end of the season.
The 24-year-old has, to his credit, worked his way back from that December night against Newcastle United in 2024, having been hooked after just 30 minutes to a chorus of jeers, although even his somewhat cult status won't protect him from the axe.
Signed for £36.5m from Bologna 18 months ago, the fleet-footed forward has scored just nine goals since then, only five of which have come in the Premier League, having also registered just four assists in his 65 total games.
Neither a pure goalscorer or creator then, it is difficult to see what the one-time Bayern Munich man truly offers, with his deft touch and dribbling ability often overshadowed by a lack of mobility and speed.
Zirkzee-Ugarte-Casemiro-Man-Utd
While he has been hampered by injury in recent weeks, it is telling that he has started just one of the last ten league games, with even that outing against bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers seeing him withdrawn at the break for tactical reasons.
There is much to like about the six-cap Netherlands international, although he has almost been reduced to cheerleader status, looking almost as delighted as Benjamin Sesko following the Slovenian's winner last time out.
Zirkzee - Career record
Club
Man Utd
Bologna
Anderlecht
Bayern
Parma
Stats via Transfermarkt
It was August 2024 when Zirkzee had his own memorable moment against Fulham on debut, yet with Sesko himself now battling with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha for a starting role, Zirkzee's standing has plummeted even further.
With Amad nailed on to start off the right, and with Mason Mount in reserve behind Fernandes as a number ten, there would be no rhyme or reason for Zirkzee to start again, with INEOS perhaps missing a trick in not shipping him off to Roma before the deadline.
Zirkzee-stats-vs-Everton-Man-Utd
With such minimal game time expected, his market value will only plummet even further, with Transfermarkt deeming him to now be worth just €25m (£21m), even less than the aforementioned Ugarte, for instance, €30m (£26m).
Perhaps, in a different team or a different era, the likeable Zirkzee might've blossomed, but now into the grips of his second season in Manchester, there's little to suggest he deserves a third act.
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