Man United has already let go of four players this month, and more are probably likely to go than arrive during the transfer market.
Thus far, so foreseeable. At Manchester United this month, the focus has always been on exits, and there have been four low-level departures.
Back in September, Jadon Sancho saw Borussia Dortmund as a way out, and he went back “home” last week. After moving to Eintracht Frankfurt on January 1st, Donny van de Beek, who played fewer minutes for United this season than Sancho, will be hoping for a fresh start.
On Sunday, Hannibal Mejbri was temporarily removed from the Tottenham squad sheet, and Sergio Reguilon was back where he belonged—at the top of the squad sheet on the matchday programme.
Mejbri and Van de Beek can be purchased, but Sancho is not. It is in United’s best interests for all three to succeed so they can stay with their new teams indefinitely. The appearance of Van de Beek at Carrington on the opening day of pre-season training in July would cast doubt on the reforms that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is about to oversee.
For the duration of the season, United has temporarily reduced the size of their roster. Bruno Fernandes lacks a clear replacement for Mejbri as a playmaker, but since Fernandes has never missed a United game due to injury and Mejbri did not force them to play with the ball, an initial loan seemed acceptable.
Behind the striker, Mason Mount is an additional possibility, however his chances of earning a midfield starting position have diminished recently. Kobbie Mainoo made his full Premier League debut at Everton a few days after Mount suffered the calf injury from which he has not yet fully recovered. Mainoo was the star of the show.
As things stand, United will field a 26-man senior team made up of three goalkeepers and twenty-three outfield players for a potentially 22-game run-in should they get past the FA Cup, where they now have a virtual bye to the fifth round.
Midway through a season, United often selects an academy graduate for the senior squad, and Willy Kambwala has been a regular in matchday squads for the past month. With his debut against Tottenham last week and a bench place at Wigan, Omari Forson gained some exposure.
With Erik ten Hag expected to have a fully stocked midfield in February, Dan Gore should be allowed to go on loan. When United had two goalkeepers on the bench against Tottenham, Gore was not one of the replacements.
With Alejandro Garnacho dominating the right side, a choice must be taken about Facundo Pellistri. However, United lacks forwards—only two have scored five goals or more.
Due to his injuries, Anthony Martial was unable to be sold for practically the whole summer transfer window. He is not marketable because he missed the whole winter transfer window due to illness and subsequent injuries. This prevents United from signing a striker on loan in the middle of the season, similar to Wout Weghorst, Odion Ighalo, or Henrik Larsson.
Most likely United team following January
Goalkeepers: Heaton, Onana, and Bayindir
So far, Martial has been quite predictable.
Defenders: Dalot, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Lindelof, Maguire, Evans, Shaw, Malacia
Midfielders: Casemiro, Mainoo, Amrabat, Mount, McTominay, Eriksen, Fernandes
Forwards: Antony, Amad, Pellistri, Garnacho, Rashford, Hojlund, Martial
