Manchester United supporters likely came away with a positive impression from the first half of their club’s first season under new manager Erik ten Hag, feeling that one or two key acquisitions in January could allow them to make a Top 4 push and get back into the UEFA Champions League.
Life under Ten Hag has been bumpy at times, but the team continues to rack up results as the Red Devils sit fifth in the Premier League table with realistic hopes of qualifying for Europe’s top club competition.
The January transfer window offers a new chance to bolster the squad and fill holes in the lineup. United, like many other top Premier League teams, have questions regarding the current midfield makeup, as Christen Eriksen’s deployment in a deeper role alongside Casemiro has produced mixed results. The biggest need, however, is at striker, with the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Red Devils also may look to offload some excess weight at winger, with Antony and Marcus Rashford in good form plus positive signs from young Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho. But Jadon Sancho continues to struggle.
Latest Manchester United transfers
Players in
| Date | Player | Club | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — |
Players out
| Date | Player | Club | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 22, 2022 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Free agent | Contract termination |
Latest Manchester United transfer news, rumors
The Sporting News brings you a full roundup of all the latest Manchester United transfer news as the January window approaches.
There are questions regarding Manchester United’s financial flexibility during this transfer window, given the Glazer family is actively seeking to sell the club. They could seek to tighten the purse strings in the hopes of keeping the books clean for the sale.
Nonetheless, Man United continue to be linked with some of the stars of the most recent World Cup.
- Man United will have to set a new transfer record to sign Enzo Fernandez (The Sun)
- United considering Emiliano Martinez to replace David de Gea (Football Insider)
- PSG are looking to make a move for Man United midfielder Fred (Express)
- United are preparing to submit a bid for Lyon full-back Malo Gusto (Media Foot)
MORE: Timeline of return for Manchester United players from World Cup rest
Man United lose Cody Gakpo to Liverpool
Manchester United have long been credited with interest in Cody Gakpo and, with Cristiano Ronaldo having left the club, their eagerness to sign a new forward has increased.
Alex Crook previously claimed United were going “all out” to sign the PSV player, who starred for the Netherlands at the World Cup. Now, Fabrizio Romano – speaking to The United Stand – says contact between the player and the club has been positive and it’s now a case of the Red Devils deciding whether to make an official bid.
“THEY HOPE TO HAVE POSITIVE NEWS SOON!” 🤞@FabrizioRomano says Cody Gakpo is still keen on a #mufc move, and that contacts between him and United are moving along well. It’s up to the club to make the bid.
Will Erik ten Hag get his man? 👇 pic.twitter.com/U2nUu5AadF
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) December 26, 2022
However, a report on December 26 by Paul Joyce of The Times stated Liverpool had entered “advanced talks” for Gakpo in a blow to the Red Devils. Just hours later, PSV confirmed a deal with Liverpool, and Manchester United had missed out on their Dutch target.
Man United renew Frenkie de Jong interest
The Frenkie de Jong saga through the summer of 2022 was long, arduous, and ultimately fruitless for Manchester United as they failed to convince the Dutch midfielder to make the move.
According to Graeme Bailey of 90min, Man United remain interested in De Jong and are attempting to reignite their pursuit this winter.
De Jong began this season as a backup at Barcelona, coming off the bench in three of the team’s first four matches, but has grown into a more consistent role as the season progressed. He started in eight of the team’s last 10 league matches, and was a key component of the Netherlands squad in the 2022 World Cup.
The 90min report claims that while De Jong held publicly that he never entertained the move to Old Trafford last summer, the actual roadblock was “Barcelona’s repayment of millions of euros in deferred wages throughout the pandemic period back to De Jong,” and this yet unresolved issue remains the biggest barrier to securing a move.
Barça president Laporta on de Jong and Man United: “I’ve never wanted to sell Frenkie de Jong. He has to be a pillar of the team”, tells BarçaTV 🚨🇳🇱 #MUFC
“January signings? We did the work in the summer. There are no indications of having to do any deal now”. #FCB pic.twitter.com/iocIowEjBX
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 22, 2022
Manchester United have competition for Alexis Mac Allister
Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister had a sensational World Cup, becoming an unexpected component of the Argentina title run. This has caused a flurry of rumors to pop up around the 23-year-old midfielder who has scored five goals in 14 Premier League appearances so far this season.
Mac Allister just recently signed a new Brighton contract in October that runs through the summer of 2025, but that may not be enough to ward off outside interest. According to Spanish tabloid Fichajes, there is interest on the Manchester United side that could play out this winter.
The report states there will be serious competition from Arsenal for Mac Allister’s signature, and this could be a continuing saga through the entire winter window.
🚨#EXCL • Manchester United and Arsenal are monitoring the situation of Brighton’s Argentine player Alexis Mac Allister.
🇦🇷 🟦 #BHAFC 🟥 #MUFC 🟥 #AFC pic.twitter.com/kAip3vnU25— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) December 20, 2022
Watch Manchester United in Premier League 2022/23
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| Canada | — | |
| Hong Kong | — | Now TV |
| India | Star Sports | Disney+, Hotstar, JioTV |
| Malaysia | Astro SuperSport | Astro Go |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport | Sky Sport Now, Sky Go |
| Singapore | StarHub | StarHub TV+ |
| UK | Sky Sports, BT Sport | NOW TV, Sky Go, Amazon Prime |
| USA | USA Network, Telemundo, Universo |
fuboTV, Peacock |
UK: Matches are carried across Sky Sports and BT Sport streaming and TV platforms, with select matches on Amazon Prime.
USA: Select matches are televised on USA Network (English) and Telemundo or Universo (Spanish), and all three channels can be streamed on fuboTV. The rest of the matches are streamed on NBC platform Peacock for subscribers.
Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streaming exclusively via fuboTV in Canada.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport.
India: Star Sports network has the rights to show Premier League matches in India. As well as an English broadcast on Star Sports Select, select matches will be available via regional feeds on Star Sports 3 (in Bengali, English, Kannada, Malayalam), Star Sports 1 (Bangla) and Star Sports 1 (Tamil).
