Man Utd have funds but will avoid January signings under Michael Carrick

Goal reports Manchester United have the financial capacity to enter the January transfer market but are expected to hold off on new signings while interim boss Michael Carrick steadies the side.

Despite reports that the club had access to funds via a revolving credit facility and were even willing to meet a £65m release clause for Antoine Semenyo, the hierarchy has prioritised a major summer overhaul rather than panic buying this winter; a shortlist of midfield targets reportedly includes Adam Wharton and Alex Scott.

The club has already identified defensive midfield as a summer priority and is tracking Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Alex Scott, with a clear shift toward younger players. United also point to internal solutions this month, with Amad and Bryan Mbeumo due back from the Africa Cup of Nations and several players — Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Harry Maguire — having recently returned from injury.

Carrick faces a midfield puzzle in the meantime: the squad currently has three specialist central midfielders — Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Mainoo — with concerns noted over Casemiro’s fit in a high-intensity system and Ugarte’s recent form. It is expected the club will reserve significant transfer activity for the summer, leaving immediate questions about how the trio will be managed until then.

Key Topics

Sports, Manchester United, Michael Carrick, Antoine Semenyo, Adam Wharton, Alex Scott