Manchester United's recruitment has been criticized for years under the Glazers' ownership. Fans hit out at the American business family for prioritizing signings that are perhaps more commercial assets than a Red Devils manager needed for his team to succeed. INEOS have sought about changing the project at Old Trafford and this past summer speaks volumes.
Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee arrived from Bologna for a reported £36.5 million while rising French centre-back Leny Yoro arrived from LOSC Lille in a £58.9 million deal. Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt (initially £38.4 million) and Moroccan full-back Noussair Mazraoui (initially £12.8 million) joined from Bayern Munich, and Manuel Ugarte (£50.5 million) arrived from PSG on transfer deadline day.
It was an exciting summer for United fans and INEOS can be expected to bolster Erik ten Hag's squad further in January. We look at five players the Reds could target once the next transfer window swings about.
5 Manchester United potential January signings
Frenkie de Jong
Frenkie de Jong has long been on Manchester United's radar ever since Ten Hag took over in the summer of 2022. The Dutch coach previously coached the Barcelona superstar at Ajax and oversaw his development into one of Europe's most admirable ball-playing midfielders.
De Jong, 27, made 59 appearances under Ten Hag, posting three goals and four assists. He was part of an Ajax side that heroically made it to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League in 2019 while winning the Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup.
Manchester United reportedly agreed on a £71.6 million package with Barca for De Jong in July 2022. The only problem was that the player didn't want to make the move as he was at 'the club of his dreams'.
🚨🚨🎙️| Erik ten Hag on trying to get Frenkie de Jong:
— centredevils. (@centredevils) May 3, 2024
“It would’ve been Frenkie de Jong and Casemiro playing and complementing each other.”
[@SkySportsPL] pic.twitter.com/SiWTdIeYyS
De Jong has struggled with injury issues during his Camp Nou stay and speculation is growing over his future. He has yet to appear this season and has just under two years left on his contract with the La Liga giants.
Probability: 3/5
Jarrad Branthwaite
Jarrad Branthwaite was pursued by Manchester United in the summer to no avail as Everton dug their heels in on their £70 million valuation of the English defender. The Red Devils failed with two bids worth as much as £35 million plus £10 million in add-ons, per The Guardian.
INEOS admitted defeat and turned their attention to Yoro whom they beat the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool to. Yet, there's still talk of Branthwaite, 22, being a target for United and he's a player assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy knows from his time coaching PSV Eindhoven.
Branthwaite has three years left on his contract at Goodison Park but Sean Dyche's side are in for another relegation battle. It seems unlikely the Merseysiders sell in January but next summer is a real possibility.
Probability: 2/5
Antonee Robinson
Antonee Robinson could be the left-back Manchester United target in January and they need to deal with that position. Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia's constant injury issues have led to Diogo Dalot taking up a makeshift left-back role.
The Fulham full-back has impressed at Craven Cottage and boasts electric pace and good vision. He's appeared four times this season, providing two assists and his potential arrival could hugely benefit the out-of-sorts Marcus Rashford on the left flank.
English journalist Dean Jones (via GiveMeSport) reports that United are set to prioritize a left-back signing in January to cover for Shaw. Robinson is on a three-man list with Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez and Brest's Bradley Locko.
Probability: 4/5
Karim Adeyemi
Manchester United could be in the market for a new left-winger following Jadon Sancho's departure to Chelsea on transfer deadline day. Rashford has been struggling for form while Antony's future is the subject of intense speculation amid a nightmare spell at Old Trafford.
Karim Adeyemi fits the bill for the Red Devils with his pace and goalscoring prowess. Since joining Borussia Dortmund in July 2022, he's bagged 16 goals and 10 assists in 70 games. The Germany international is attracting interest from the Premier League, with United included.
Manchester United are reportedly more likely than Liverpool to swoop for Adeyemi, 22, per TEAMTalk. Dortmund are aware that they won't be able to prevent the young attacker from departing if a lucrative offer is made. Newcastle United are also tracking the former RB Salzburg forward and a Premier League move could be on the cards.
Probability: 4/5
Leon Goretzka
Leon Goretzka rounds off our list amid rumors of discontent at Bayern Munich under new manager Vincent Kompany. The veteran German midfielder had been a mainstay in the Bavarians' starting XI up until this season. Joao Palhinha's arrival from Fulham has cast major doubts over his future at the Allianz Arena.
The Sun reports that Manchester United and West Ham United are monitoring his situation at Bayern. He''s lacked game time and this isn't the first time the Red Devils have been linked with a move for the central midfielder.
🚨🇧🇷 Ten Hag: “We definitely need Casemiro, for sure”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 13, 2024
“Everyone can have a bad day at the office”.
“He is experienced. It’s not the first time he’s had to deal with a bad game”.
“You have highs and lows in your life and in football. He knows how to deal with it”. pic.twitter.com/uaZRgHDTbb
Goretzka, 29, could be viewed as Casemiro's replacement, with the Brazilian enduring a difficult period at Old Trafford. He has just over a year left on his contract and it was thought INEOS were trying to offload him this past summer. His astronomical wages proved to be a sticking point for interested clubs and are also why the club's owners want to move him on.
Probability: 3/5
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