With Michael Carrick now installed as Manchester United’s interim manager, attention is gradually shifting from the dugout to recruitment plans, particularly with the January transfer window open and the race for a Champions League place still very much alive.
That said, there is growing debate within football circles about whether committing significant funds in January is the right move, especially during a period of transition on the managerial front.
Manchester United’s recent history offers a clear warning: rushed, expensive signings made amid uncertainty have often failed to deliver value.
In contrast, some of the club’s most reliable solutions over the years have come from within, through the promotion of academy talent rather than high-risk market deals.
Reports surrounding United’s midfield intentions have been somewhat contradictory. On one hand, there is an understanding that money is available for players viewed as long-term investments.
On the other, the club’s early FA Cup exit and the absence of a major injury crisis have eased the urgency to strengthen immediately. As a result, the current thinking appears to lean toward patience rather than panic.
The broader strategy seems geared toward a substantial rebuild in the summer, when a permanent manager is expected to be in place and the recruitment plan can be fully aligned with a long-term vision.
Names such as Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, and Carlos Baleba have been repeatedly mentioned as potential midfield reinforcements. Baleba, in particular, was heavily linked with United last summer, but a deal never materialized.
Since then, the Brighton midfielder’s form has dipped, a downturn some observers believe may be connected to transfer speculation and increased pressure.
This has inevitably raised doubts about whether he would cope with the relentless scrutiny that comes with playing at Old Trafford especially if he were to arrive with a price tag approaching nine figures.
For a club trying to stabilize, that level of financial and psychological risk may be difficult to justify in January.
All of this strengthens the argument for United to look inward for solutions over the coming months. One of the clearest weaknesses in the current squad is a lack of physicality and athleticism in midfield qualities that players like Baleba were meant to address.
However, Carrick’s arrival could signal a shift in approach, with greater emphasis placed on assessing the club’s existing resources.
One internal option attracting attention is Sekou Kone, a 19-year-old midfielder signed by INEOS in 2024. Highly regarded at the time of his arrival, Kone was viewed as a long-term project and began the season as a fringe option under former manager Ruben Amorim. Despite not making a competitive appearance, his potential has never been in doubt.
Kone’s progress was disrupted by a facial injury, while the rise of other academy players further limited his opportunities.
Nevertheless, Carrick is expected to take a closer look at the young Malian before any decision is made regarding a possible loan move to Swiss side Lausanne.
In the short term, giving opportunities to players already within the system may prove to be the smarter and more sustainable route.
Rather than gambling on an expensive January signing who may struggle to adapt, Carrick could use the remainder of the season to evaluate emerging talent, maintain squad balance, and preserve resources for a more decisive and structured summer rebuild.
