11 loans, one sale – every Manchester United transfer axe in January as Rúben Amorim picks up the pieces

Rúben Amorim has been left to pick up the pieces after Manchester United chose to get rid of 12 players during the most recent winter transfer window.

Manchester United’s 2025 winter transfer window has drawn heavy criticism from fans after the club failed to adequately strengthen Rúben Amorim’s squad in key areas.

While United bolstered their defensive ranks with the signings of Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven, the lack of attacking reinforcements has caused frustration among supporters.

The club saw three first-team forwards depart on loan, with Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Ethan Wheatley all securing temporary moves elsewhere. Several Academy prospects also left on loan in pursuit of more game time.

One silver lining is the arrival of promising left-back Diego Leon, who will officially join United on 1 July after completing his season with Cerro Porteño in Paraguay.

Every player United axed in January

United signed off on ten departures in the January transfer window, with Rashford, Antony, and Wheatley’s moves also being accompanied by Tyrell Malacia, who is set to sign with PSV Eindhoven on loan on Tuesday.

Beyond this, United have let a further eight Academy players leave either on loan or permanently this month.

Ethan Ennis has joined Doncaster Rovers on loan until the end of the campaign, while Dan Gore has joined Wigan Athletic and Joe Hugill has joined Carlisle.

Cheltenham Town signed Ethan Williams, Jack Kingdon will be playing for Rochdale until the end of June, and Sam Mather and Louis Jackson have both moved to Tranmere on loan.

Meanwhile, United’s one permanent sale is Academy midfielder Ruben Curley, who has joined Stoke City. The fee received will be nominal, but clauses inserted into the deal could see United receive fees in the future.

Amorim must now pick up the pieces

The club’s January transfer window has somewhat gutted Amorim’s current options for the remainder of the campaign.

Read More: “He has to…” Alan Shearer explains what Manchester United must now do with Rúben Amorim

Although they added two new players to the defence in Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu, fans have raised concerns about the lack of attacking options. Rasmus Højlund, Joshua Zirkzee, Alejandro Garnacho, and Amad are now the club’s only first-team forwards.

Midfielders such as Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen are certainly options to play in the creative areas, while Kobbie Mainoo has been touted as a potential addition to the No. 10 role.

However, Amorim will have no choice but to pick up the pieces left to him after 12 players departed this month and aim to secure a top-half finish in the Premier League as well as advances in the FA Cup and Europa League.

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