Financial Challenges and Transfer Activity
Manchester United is facing significant financial difficulties, largely stemming from the heavy spending during Erik ten Hag’s tenure. This has complicated the club’s ability to make signings, particularly in the January transfer window. The club is looking to offload some of its existing squad members to generate cash for potential new signings. Ruben Amorim, the current manager, is under pressure to revamp the squad, but the financial constraints are a major hurdle[2].
Transfer Targets and Negotiations
One of the most significant transfer targets for Manchester United is Victor Osimhen, the 26-year-old striker currently on loan at Galatasaray. Osimhen has expressed his desire to join Manchester United, and preliminary moves are already underway to finalize the deal. The club is showing strong interest in Osimhen, who can reportedly be signed for €90m (£75m) in January, with the figure dropping to €75m (£62m) from the summer onwards[5].
However, the cost of signing Osimhen is a concern, given Manchester United’s tight budget this month. The club must sell some of its existing players to fund the transfer, with Marcus Rashford being a potential makeweight in any agreement with Napoli. Napoli boss Antonio Conte is an admirer of Rashford, which could reduce the cost of bringing Osimhen to Old Trafford[5].
Squad Reinforcements and Midfield Issues
Manchester United is desperately in need of midfield reinforcements. Casemiro is one of the midfielders who will not be the only one leaving the club, as Christian Eriksen is also available for a January transfer. If Eriksen doesn’t leave this month, he will depart at the end of the season when his contract expires. This leaves Manchester United with minimal options in midfield, with Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte being the primary alternatives[2].
Recent Performances and Squad Dynamics
Manchester United’s recent performances have been underwhelming, with four consecutive losses in the Premier League and Carabao Cup. This has put additional pressure on Ruben Amorim to get results and revamp the squad. The club is particularly concerned about its wingback options, which need to be improved as soon as possible[2].
Striker Options and Osimhen’s Potential
Rasmus Hojlund has shown promise as a striker, but his goal ratio of roughly one goal every three matches (23 goals in 65 appearances) is not enough to fire Manchester United back to the top end of the table. Joshua Zirkzee’s signing appears to be a mistake, and he is already angling for a return to Serie A. Viktor Gyokeres is another candidate to elevate Manchester United’s frontline, though Ruben Amorim has insisted he won’t raid his former club in January[5].
References
- UTD District. (2025, January 5). Fabrizio Romano Delivers Significant Manchester United Transfer Update.
- TeamTalk. (2025, January 5). Man Utd moving to finalise spectacular Victor Osimhen signing.
