Manchester United are reportedly planning to offload four players during the January transfer window as part of a strategy to fund new additions to the squad.
The Red Devils currently sit in seventh place in the Premier League table, having started the week with a midweek slate of fixtures ahead.
Their recent 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park provided some relief, with second-half goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount securing the win.
Of United’s four summer signings, only goalkeeper Senne Lammens and forward Bryan Mbeumo were involved from the start, while Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko were sidelined due to injuries.
With the summer focus largely on bolstering the attacking line, Manchester United are now prioritizing midfield reinforcements during the January transfer window.
The club has been linked to several high-profile midfield targets in recent months, including Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.
According to ESPN, United aim to bring in two midfielders, with Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller — reportedly the only player who is both “likely to be affordable and available” in January — and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton also on the shortlist alongside Baleba and Anderson.
However, acquiring these additions will require funds from player sales due to Premier League financial regulations.
Last summer, United generated significant financial flexibility by selling academy graduate Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea for £40 million, a fee that counted as “pure profit” and could be recognized in the club’s accounts immediately rather than amortized over a contract period. Despite this, further flexibility will be necessary to complete the planned January deals.
The club is said to be open to offers for several players, including Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, Tyrell Malacia, and, somewhat surprisingly, academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo.
Malacia was among United’s “bomb squad” over the summer, training separately from the first-team squad, but he did not secure a move away from Old Trafford.
Manager Ruben Amorim reinstated him in September, reportedly responding to player requests to reintegrate him, though he has yet to make a competitive appearance this season, frequently finding himself on the bench. A January exit would not come as a major shock.
Zirkzee, who recently returned from a long-term injury, scored in the Palace victory but received criticism for his display during United’s 1-0 defeat to Everton earlier in the week.
With Sesko and Cunha still sidelined due to injury, Zirkzee is considered the third-choice striker once they return.
Meanwhile, Ugarte has struggled to make an impact this season, managing just one full 90-minute appearance. Mainoo, despite his status as a highly-rated academy graduate and being only 20 years old, has been unable to secure a place in Amorim’s starting lineup.
Manchester United’s strategy in January, therefore, appears clear: offload fringe players to generate funds while targeting key midfield reinforcements to strengthen the squad for the remainder of the season.
