Man United repeating January transfer window mistake yet again with two options outlined

Manchester United appear to be repeating one January transfer window mistake from last year, as it feels like Déjà vu with the Old Trafford club.

Cast your minds back to January 2023, when the Red Devils were unable to make permanent transfers to Erik ten Hag’s squad because of the looming takeover process going on.

Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer were signed on loan as options to plug the gaps in United’s squad. They were without a fit striker, and key midfielder Christian Eriksen had just been ruled out with a long-term injury.

Despite the club being insistent that January windows are never their priority, it always seems that there are needs when the month approaches.

This time around, United need a striker. Plain and simple. Rasmus Højlund is unable to play every game and needs support, whilst Anthony Martial is unreliable and could even leave in the January window for a minimal fee.

The summer transfer window was the time to make that move, at the same time Hojlund came in. United knew they couldn’t get through the season with Hojlund, who arrived with an injury, and Martial as the only two options.

Instead, it appears that United will be penny-pinching again, with The Athletic claiming that one or two loans are the maximum for the club in this window. It all comes down to spending regulations as the club awaits Premier League ratification of INEOS’ investment. The takeover process managed to impact this January window too.

Again, United will look towards the loan market unless they can make major sales, which is difficult when your unwanted players are on astronomical wages.

Two ‘low-cost’ options outlined by the prior article are Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Timo Werner. And again, United would be plugging a gap with players who aren’t quite good enough for where the club want to be.

Weghorst was the same. As was Sabitzer. Of course, quality is difficult to find in January, but United seem to always need quality when it comes to this month, which is something those at INEOS will be desperate to change.