We are 14 days into January and right now it feels like we can confidently say, ‘Manchester United will not sign anyone’.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke on moves earlier in the week. He explained that the January contract was likely to be for Bruno Fernandes last year.
He said on the club’s website: “January is always difficult but if something comes up you think it’s a long-term target at least that’s another situation.
“But not many teams would want to lose their players in January, so it’s very likely that something will happen internally. Maybe two or three go out because, one, they deserve to play football, for their own good and for their own careers. ”
Traditionally slow in January
January is often seen as a tough window to do business. The deal for Fernandes was very rare rather than something that happens regularly.
But some of United’s best-ever deals were struck in the middle of the season. Pre-Fernandes were Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra who reached transfer window in January.
As Louis Saha did, going further back Andy Cole arrived in January.
Separating teams from key players is not so easy to believe, and the continuing impact of the pandemic makes it so likely that United have money to throw around. The key is to spend effectively.
There is an opportunity
It is important to trim the squad. An inability to move players unwanted or a margin may have delayed United’s business over the summer. So if United can get a handful of players, it could help later this year.
However, United have a chance to take advantage of a strong league position. Now more than ever we want to see ambition. One key sign could be a difference between first place, or any other place.
We saw the impact of Fernandes last season, and in 2019 United did not sign a man and almost missed out on the top four. One sign could give the squad a huge boost.
Defensively there are still issues and beyond the lack of Unified options. United shouldn’t start from scratch here; there should be a list of players, ready to focus on.
Now of course the pool will be much wider in the summer and this will be in United’s opinion, a waiting option. Last January’s contract for Fernandes was spurred on by a terrible result at home to Burnley and glaring squad deficits. United are stronger now and hopefully not shown in the next two games against Liverpool. If we do, that may inspire some action.
At the end of the season if United fall short, we don’t want to look back and think the club played it too safe. Perhaps a game changer like Leon Bailey is the kind of ready player now that can come in and turn a few games in our favor.
Come on, surprise us
So at this stage we do not expect any incoming contracts to be made, but that will not stop us from hoping.
What we want to see is just one surprise. One gamble imposed on a player with a low risk of not breaking the bank.
That’s why a move for a prime look like Moises Caicedo looked so interesting, even though that one has now fallen apart.
United ‘s Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellistri are likely to take part in the second half of the season, but if there is another player who can come in and win, United should look into it.
There is no point in stepping back completely. United should be wary of potential opportunities and be ready to strike. Bargains from Scandinavia, the Netherlands or Portugal could be signed for less than £ 15 million.
It shouldn’t be a buying case for a ‘buy purpose’, but it may come as a surprise that United are able to pull it off.
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