Manchester United’s January window has been lukewarm so far, to put it politely, but it could be about to kick into a frenzy soon.
Man Utd have opened talks for Patrick Dorgu, Alejandro Garnacho’s transfer could become a reality, the Marcus Rashford situation is in limbo but could accelerate and other players in the squad face uncertain futures too.
All this means that there are a lot of moving parts going into the final two weeks of the window, some of which will be resolves, others which will be dragged till the summer.
Here’s what United’s ideal end to the transfer window could look like. This is an “ideal” scenario so even if two of these three things happen, it would be a bonafide win for the club.
Two problems solved in Man Utd squad
This one seems the likeliest to happen which alone will be a major win for Ruben Amorim, who is having to plug square pegs in round holes at the moment.
Dorgu’s potential arrival should add much-needed thrust and dynamism to an ailing left wing-back position which is the biggest issue in the squad at the moment.
A striker or a progressive passing midfield also wouldn’t go amiss but after Randal Kolo Muani joined Juventus, one option is off the table.
However, if Alejandro Garnacho is sold, which is looking likelier by the minute, Amorim will need a player for those three attacking spots.
Rayan Cherki could be a bargain addition, links to Matheus Cunha have popped up again but neither is a striker. Ideally, funds from selling Garnacho would be diverted to fetch a proven hitman like Dusan Vlahovic.
Million off the wage bill
More than a lack of transfer funds, United’s biggest issue is having underperformers in the squad getting paid like the best players in the world.
High wages is why they’re struggling to shift Rashford, and it is the same reason why United achieved the impossible – making a Saudi team think that money is not worth it re Casemiro.
The club have pivoted to a ruthless stance to fix this issue, as seen in their contribution to Antony’s salary just to get him out, even if it’s for just six months.
Ideally, if they manage to offload Rashford, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Victor Lindelof (both expiring contracts), they will have easily saved close to a million/week on wages alone.
Roughly, for six months, four weeks each, that’s £24 million saved in wages. Even if they have to contribute a portion to sell (they likely will), they should still easily save £10-12 million.
That’s far more than Sir Jim Ratcliffe will ever save by cutting the bonus for the steward of the week!
A surprise transfer
This can only happen if both of the things above are realised, i.e., United relieve pressure off their wage bill and bring in two players.
It has flown under the radar amidst all the noise surrounding Dorgu, but United’s links to Nene Dorgeles came as a surprise to everyone earlier in January.
It cooled down after Dorgu links but United’s interest remains in the player and Christopher Vivell can be relied upon for RB talents.
He isn’t expected to cost much either and if Garnacho is sold, then Dorgeles+a forward+Dorgu will constitute a very good transfer window for United, especially by January standards.
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