Manchester United made a January transfer that hasn’t been acknowledged by many, but could prove crucial before the end of the season.
Manchester United’s January transfer window may have appeared quiet to many, but in reality, it proved to be quite an important month for the future of the club, especially after Rúben Amorim’s departure following the 1-1 draw against Leeds United at the start of the month.
In the post-match press conference, Amorim claimed to be the “manager” of the club, while the statement the next day read: “Rúben Amorim has departed his role as Head Coach of Manchester United.”
The search for an interim was quickly over as Darren Fletcher took the reins for two games against Burnley in the Premier League and Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup. Michael Carrick then beat out Ole Gunnar Solskjær for the caretaker position, although Carrick’s official role is “Head Coach until the end of the season.”
While the managerial merry-go-round went round and round, Director of Football Jason Wilcox was responsible for the incomings and outgoings at Old Trafford, including loan moves, as Jonny Evans had departed his Loan Manager position earlier in the season. He is now back in Manchester as part of Carrick’s coaching staff.
Some of those who were loaned out during Evans’ stint as Loan Manager have now returned to the club, one of whom is young Jack Moorhouse. The Irish midfielder was on loan at Leyton Orient in League One and impressed many with his outstanding dribbling ability; he more than held his own in senior football.
Moorhouse could feature for United
“Jack is undoubtedly a very talented footballer,” said Leyton Orient Manager Leyton Orient in Moorhouse’s return statement. “I think our fans have seen that in flashes this season. Given the situation we currently find ourselves in, we thought it may limit his game time, and we have been very open with Manchester United about this.”
Moorhouse made 24 appearances for Leyton Orient, and played as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder and attacking midfielder in his six-month stint. His versatility could prove crucial to Michael Carrick’s first team, but his senior experience will be the main factor in his potential first-team playing time between now and the end of the season.
Kobbie Mainoo had played every minute of Carrick’s tenure until the win against Tottenham Hotspur, in which he was withdrawn for Tyler Fletcher with just a few minutes left. Jack and Tyler Fletcher have been the only others to feature in Mainoo’s position since Rúben Amorim left the club, with Bruno Fernandes returning to his natural No.10 position.
Not only does Moorhouse have the profile to play in that position, but he also has the senior experience over the Fletcher twins and any other candidates from the Under-21s who could be pushing for a spot.
Moorhouse is known for his outstanding dribbling ability. It was seen on occasion at Leyton Orient, but Michael Carrick could help unleash it at Old Trafford.
How Carrick could get the best out of Moorhouse
Casemiro, Patrick Dorgu, Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martínez, Bryan Mbeumo, and more: they are the players Michael Carrick has already got the best out of. His system has catered to all of those players, and there’s no reason it couldn’t cater to Moorhouse, too.
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Since Carrick has returned to the Manchester United dugout, his side has been one of the best teams in the league on the counterattack. Every time they get the ball, they move it with speed and intensity. United look dangerous.
Moorhouse has already shown he can be crucial to a counterattacking side for United in youth competitions. Ask any fan of the academy, and they will be able to recall an example of where he picked the ball up inside his own half and ran with it into the opposition’s final third. He glides past defenders with ease.
Obviously, this will be harder to do in the Premier League than in youth football, but he’s already shown he can do it in League One. Why not give him a chance before the end of the season?
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