Manchester United Shake-Up: Seven Players Listed for Sale as INEOS Targets January Moves Under Carrick
Manchester United are undergoing a period of significant transition, and the January transfer window is already heating up.
With Michael Carrick installed as interim head coach until the end of the season, the club is preparing for a major overhaul ahead of the summer.
The appointment follows the recent dismissal of Ruben Amorim, whose tenure failed to bring the stability and success the Red Devils were seeking.
Carrick’s role is temporary, acting as a bridge while the club plots a long-term plan, including finding a permanent manager and restructuring the squad.
Central midfield has emerged as a particularly pressing area of concern. Under Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, the club struggled to find the right balance, and questions are now being raised over the future of captain Bruno Fernandes.
Additionally, Casemiro is expected to leave United on a free transfer when his contract expires, leaving a void that the club is eager to fill.
In response, United are reportedly keeping tabs on several potential midfield signings, including Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, with an eye on possible summer acquisitions.
Meanwhile, United are exploring short-term solutions for the remainder of the season. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the club has reportedly held discussions with an unnamed midfielder abroad, with Premier League experience, for a possible loan deal until the end of the campaign.
The details of the player remain confidential, but social media detectives have speculated on potential candidates, using the available clues to narrow down the list.
Among the top names mentioned is Ruben Neves. The former Wolves midfielder, now at Al-Hilal, has been linked with a return to the Premier League.
Neves, 28, boasts 171 Premier League appearances, contributing 21 goals and nine assists, and could offer added appeal to Bruno Fernandes as a fellow Portugal international.
While a loan deal seems unlikely due to Al-Hilal’s valuation, priced at around £20 million, the possibility of a permanent transfer exists once his contract expires in the summer.
Another candidate is Ruben Loftus-Cheek, whose move appears more feasible. The 29-year-old is eager for more regular playing time to strengthen his chances of making England’s World Cup squad.
AC Milan, who recently signed Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot, and Samuele Ricci, are reportedly open to letting Loftus-Cheek depart.
With 157 Premier League appearances, 10 goals, and nine assists from his time at Chelsea and loan spells with Fulham and Crystal Palace, he could be a realistic short-term solution for Carrick.
Finally, Weston McKennie is also under consideration. The USA international has limited Premier League experience, featuring in 19 matches during a 2023 loan spell at Leeds United, but has established himself at Juventus.
With his contract set to expire in the summer, McKennie is reportedly attracting interest from two Premier League sides, as well as Atlético Madrid and another Italian club. His potential availability for around £10 million makes him an attractive, low-risk option.
As Manchester United prepare for this transitional period, the combination of players listed for sale and targeted acquisitions highlights the club’s urgency to stabilize key areas of the squad.
With Carrick at the helm, the Red Devils are looking to strengthen the midfield both for the remainder of the season and to lay the groundwork for a summer overhaul.
The coming weeks promise intense activity in the transfer market, with fans eagerly following every development.
