Manchester United are reportedly in talks with a ‘mystery midfielder’ over a possible loan deal until the end of the season and Mirror Football has whittled down the possible targets
Manchester United are in a state of flux and rumours are swirling in the January transfer window. Michael Carrick is the new interim head coach until the end of the season, when sweeping changes will be made by the club’s hierarchy.
Ruben Amorim was sacked earlier this month and the club are now plotting a way forward following yet another failed appointment. Carrick is a stop-gap until the summer when a long-term successor to Amorim will be hired and the squad overhauled.
One of the areas of concern is central midfield, where Amorim failed to find the right balance in his 3-4-2-1 formation. There are concerns over the future of captain Bruno Fernandes, while Casemiro is expected to leave on a free transfer when his contract expires.
United are keeping an eye on Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as dream signings in the summer. But they are also weighing up a move this summer, according to reporter Ben Jacobs.
FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! ** Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page**
READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: City agree £20m Guehi deal, Man Utd confident on Baleba, Glasner to LEAVE Crystal PalaceREAD MORE: Oliver Glasner announces shock Crystal Palace exit to put Man Utd on red alert
It has been suggested that United have held talks with a ‘mystery midfielder’ in the past day over a possible loan move until the end of the season. The player is understood to be based abroad but has Premier League experience.
The bait has well and truly been taken on social media, where United fans have turned into detectives to try and unmask the player using the parameters given. Here we list four players who fit the criteria.
Ruben Neves
The overwhelming majority of desperate United fans named the former Wolves midfielder. United were linked with the Portugal international before he left Wolves for Al-Hilal in 2023 and that excitement is back.
Al-Hilal paid a reported £47million for Neves, who was one of the Saudi Pro League’s biggest coups. He is believed to be one of the highest earners in Saudi football, but his contract expires in the summer and is therefore potentially available.
Neves is still only 28 years old, has 171 Premier League appearances, with 21 goals and nine assists, and could have the added advantage of tempting Bruno Fernandes to stay and play with his international team-mate. However, it seems very unlikely that Al-Hilal would accept a loan deal, rather than a straight transfer, having priced him at £20m.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
This sounds a lot more likely. Loftus-Cheek is keen for more game time in order to have a shot at making England’s World Cup squad and AC Milan are willing to let him leave, having signed Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot and Samuele Ricci in the summer.
Loftus-Cheek has reportedly been offered to Aston Villa, after they missed out on Conor Gallagher to Tottenham. The 29-year-old has 10 goals and nine assists in 157 Premier League appearances from his time at Chelsea and loan spells with Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Weston McKennie
The USA international does have Premier League experience, albeit just 19 appearances from a 2023 loan spell with Leeds United. He has frequently been linked with a move away from Juventus, where he has finally started to nail down a place in the side.
Jacobs reports that McKennie has attracted interest from two Premier League teams, Atletico Madrid and a team in Italy. That is partly because his contract is due to expire in the summer, meaning he could be available for around £10m. He is potentially a not very exciting signing for United, but does tick some boxes.
Matt O’Riley
O’Riley is currently on loan with Marseille from Brighton and has been playing for the French club, returning one goal and six assists in 22 appearances in all competitions so far. His departure from the Seagulls in the summer came as something of a surprise after Fabian Hurzeler was unable to guarantee a regular starting role.
The 25-year-old Denmark international has fared better with Marseille, but isn’t a fixture for Roberto De Zerbi either. Nevertheless, it seems very left-field for Brighton to recall him and agree to send O’Riley on loan to a rival in the same league.
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
