Manchester United’s January transfer window has been far quieter than everyone expected, but that could all change in the closing days.
So far the Red Devils have just loaned out Antony to Real Betis with the Brazilian proving to be one of their worst-ever signings since his £82million arrival from Ajax in 2023.
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He’s just one of a number of players who have struggled to fit into Ruben Amorim’s stubborn 3-4-3 formation and two more could soon be out of the door.
To fill us in on the goings on at Old Trafford as deadline day approaches, talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook sat down with The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
Joining deadline day icon Jim White on the Transfer Notebook, the duo discussed the Red Devils, with Ornstein beginning on the state of play.
United’s finances
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been making a number of cost-cutting measures since becoming a minority shareholder at Old Trafford.
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There are just a few players who are untouchable in the transfer market, hinting at financial pressures.
However, there are no immediate concerns when it comes to falling within financial rules.
Ornstein said: “They’ve been lining up a number of options in a number of positions and then depending on what they get out of the building they will pull the trigger on what they can activate.
“I’m told they don’t have a PSR [profit and sustainability rules] problem, that’s going to be OK in this window although they have some work to do subsequently, it’s more the cash, the money available.”
Patrick Dorgu
Left-back Dorgu is flying in to complete a move from Lecce to bolster a weak position for Ruben Amorim.
United will end up paying around £30million for the 20-year-old.
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However, Alex Crook reports that the Red Devils ‘are the only club at the table’ amid fears they could be paying over the odds.
Dorgu was one of a number of full-back options that were explored by United in January.
Ornstein added: “Initially they had a lot of admiration for Nuno Mendes at PSG who’s a top level left back and the finances – even if he wanted to come which I’m not aware of – were far higher in terms of a loan fee etcetera.
“They did look into other options like Alvarao Ferneandez who they have a buyback option on at €18million at Benfica.
“There were a couple of other names in the frame and there probably still are, but Dorgu looks like an impressive talent, but he also looks raw, and coming in midseason with the Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia [injury] situations he would need to hit the ground running.”
Marcus Rashford
Rashford hasn’t played for his boyhood club since December 12 as head coach Ruben Amorim continues to omit him from his squads.
The forward’s absences have followed his admission that he’s ‘ready for a new challenge’ away from United.
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His days at Old Trafford appeared to dwindle even further on Sunday when Amorim suggested he’d rather play a 63-year-old coach instead.
On the latest with Rashford, Ornstein said: “My understanding is there’s nothing imminent. Whatever the situation, it’s a mess and it’s really unsustainable.
“There is genuine interest, AC Milan looked into it, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, we’ve checked with all of them and it is genuine. Barcelona is Rashford’s preference and there was Premier League interest too, although it was clear quite early on that wasn’t the desire of United or Rashford.
“Whether that changes in the final days when it becomes desperate, let’s see. The door has never been closed on him being reintegrated but whether that’s just a public utterance, I think they want to move him on.
“It’s all going to come down to finances, he earns in excess of £325,000 per-week on a contract that runs until the summer of 2028, who’s going to be prepared to take on some or all of that salary? United initially wanted all of it covered and then with loan fees would you waive that if they’re taking all the salary.
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“I can’t predict that this is going to happen but I would assume that considering how bad it’s got something will either happen or come very close to happening even up to the 11pm deadline. I can see a scenario developing but I can’t rule out him staying because this is more complicated than the Jadon Sancho situation.”
talkSPORT’s Alex Crook added: “Barcelona are going to need to get players out to facilitate any kind of move so do we get to a place where they European window has closed and one of those Premier League clubs, maybe a West Ham or Tottenham, do they go to United and say, look if you take a higher percentage of his salary we’ll take him.”
Alejandro Garnacho
Garnacho has been linked with a surprising move away from Old Trafford this January, much to the bemusement of fans.
Napoli and even Chelsea are said to have explored a possible deal.
Any sale would see a healthy return on their balance sheet owing to him being a homegrown player/
Ornstein said: “The situation came about when he was dropped for the Manchester derby. He did make his way back in but maybe there’s a bit of an issue there, maybe Amorim has some concerns from a footballing or character perspective, only he knows.
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“From a PSR perspective, despite what I said earlier about them being OK at the moment, every club has to consider this with homegrown talents and pure profit and that’s why pretty much nobody is off the table at United, except maybe Amad Diallo or Leny Yoro, if suitable offers come in for even Garnacho or Kobie Mainoo, United are probably duty bound to at least think about it or maybe sell.
“Napoli stepped forward with some interest but that’s not going anywhere for now, they’re not close to United’s valuation of Garnacho which we think is around the £60m mark, maybe a bit more or less.
“Chelsea made an enquiry and maybe some conversations will continue, but I do think that’s gone a little bit quiet, he’s been playing and starting again so it’s going to take a big effort for him to move and somebodies really going to need to step forward and do some hefty work to make that happen.
“With Chelsea there’s a possibility of players going in the other direction that starts to get messy, so I would say my current thinking is that Garnacho may well stay rather than move.”
Mathys Tel
Mathys Tel has been offered to Man United and Tottenham, with Chelsea also having genuine interest.
The teenage sensation has told Bayern Munich that he would like to leave the club this month.
This has put some of Europe’s elite sides on red alert.
This could then have a knock on effect for Rashford and Garnacho should Tel come through the door.
Catch talkSPORT’s Transfer Notebook show with Jim White and Alex Crook on YouTube
