Sports
Four Players Man Utd Can Sell to Raise January Transfer Funds
The January transfer window is fast approaching, with Premier League clubs able to delve into the market and freshen up their squads mid-season.
It is always a notoriously difficult time to get incoming business done, with clubs unwilling to let go of squad players, knowing it is not easy to replace them. There is always a higher premium placed on transfers in the January transfer window, compared to the summer.
But that will not stop clubs trying to get business done, and Manchester United will be one of those clubs who could be busier than others as Ruben Amorim looks to find the right formula for his squad for the second half of the campaign.
Amorim said at the weekend: “The only thing that we know is that we will only try to bring players that we think are going to be for the future. It’s not going to be to save something at this moment, to cope with the losses of three players for AFCON.
“It’s not going to be like that. We will try to bring now—and at the end of the season—players that are perfect for our future.
“So I don’t know what is going to happen, but it’s possible that we can do something. Even if we try to bring one player, maybe it’s not the position that is [the one] that we need [even] more.”
To help bring players in, Amorim could sanction a number of sales, to raise funds for potential incoming signings. GIVEMESPORT takes a look at how much the Red Devils could raise through exits.
Kobbie Mainoo could be forced to stay
Free Kobbie Mainoo – that was the t-shirt worn by the Manchester United star’s half-brother Jordan Mainoo-Hames last week.
The England international has managed just 212 minutes of Premier League football so far this season, spread across 11 matches, with one whole half of football against Burnley at the start of the season the best he has been given.
He does not seem to be in Amorim’s plans and there has been talk of a loan move away from Old Trafford in the January transfer window, although Mainoo may now be stopped from leaving, given the injury to Bruno Fernandes. More opportunities may come his way in the next few weeks.
Amorim told the player to “fight for his job” after the stunt by his half-brother last week.
“Kobbie needs to fight for his job. I think that it’s not a bad thing to be on the bench of Manchester United when you are 20 years old. “I remember [Cristiano] Ronaldo was on the bench, [Wayne] Rooney was on the bench sometimes. [Juan Sebastian] Veron was not playing.
“I remember all the history of Manchester United and [there is] nobody this didn’t fall [to], so let’s continue in trying to avoid the nonsense and the noise.”
If Amorim were to sanction an exit, however, that would bring in much-needed funds for January deals. Transfermarkt values the midfielder at €40million, which works out at around £35million.
Joshua Zirkzee could look for a way out of Old Trafford
Joshua Zirkzee has managed just one goal so far this season, although that did come on one of only two full 90-minute showings for United, suggesting he can do the business if given the time on the pitch.
With Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko all arriving at the club in the summer transfer window, Zirkzee’s opportunities were clearly going to be hampered and that has proved to be the case.
Roma are keen to sign the frontman in the January transfer window, while there have also been links with Everton in the Premier League.
There is a feeling that out of all the players in the United squad they could get big money for, the Dutchman could be the one they are willing to let leave in January. He is valued at around £35million, according to Corriere dello Sport and with plenty of interest in him, he’s going to be one to watch next month.
Forgotten man Tyrell Malacia will not bring in much
Tyrell Malacia looked like he could be Manchester United’s left-back for the foreseeable future when he made 22 appearances in his first season after joining from Feyenoord in 2022.
But he was loaned out to PSV Eindhoven for the second half of last season, having struggled to make an impact on Amorim.
He remained at Old Trafford in the summer, but has not been able to force his way into the Portuguese manager’s plans, not playing a single minute of football. He has only been in the matchday squad on seven occasions.
His future looks destined to be away from Manchester United, but he will not bring in much money, with Transfermarkt valuing the 26-year-old at just €5million – just £4.3million.
Manuel Ugarte in limbo as Amorim ponders changes
Now we come to another midfielder. Another midfielder who could stay because of the injury situation of Bruno Fernandes.
Ugarte has been a bit-part played under Amorim so far this season, starting just three matches in the Premier League, but regularly utilised from the substitutes’ bench.
He has missed six games entirely, meaning he has come off the bench in seven other top-flight matches. However, with Fernandes out of action, Ugarte looks the most likely to benefit, given his connection to the first XI already this season.
If he were to be sold, United would look to recoup as much of the £42.7million they splashed out on him in 2024 as they could, although his value will have depreciated given his lack of game-time. He is only 24 years old and also contracted to the Red Devils until 2029, meaning United hold all the cards when it comes to the negotiating table.
