We're only a day into the January transfer window, and a month prompted to be "hectic" for United is already getting into the swing of things. One thing is clear, any business is going difficult given issues with regards to the global pandemic's effects, adding to an already-tough time of year to execute immediate deals. Remember, pre-contracts are also possible to be signed from the beginning of a calendar year - Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid could be agreed from now for a free transfer in the summer.
Outgoings have always been more likely than incomings for United this month, though signings could still happen. One of Argentina's hottest prospects, turning only 22 this month, Julian Alvarez is being heavily linked to a move to Old Trafford. The River Plate striker has managed 18 goals and six assists in 21 matches so far this campaign in the Argentinian first division, with United willing to pay Alvarez’s release clause (in the ball park of $20million). Reports have suggested a representative is set to travel to Manchester early this month, with an appointment set amidst a tour around Europa. River Plate are worried that they could lose their talisman, and it’s looking likely Alvarez will leave in January. Chances of him joining United are getting stronger, and the Red Devils seem in pole position for what would be a relatively low-risk move.
It still seems United's focus is on a defensive midfielder, even though Alvarez appears the most likely to join the club. Summer links with Declan Rice and Aurelien Tchouameni have quietened, with fresh options emerging this month with Ralf Rangnick at the helm and the aforementioned pair difficult to acquire mid-season. RB Leipzig's Amadou Haidara and Hoffenheim's Diadie Samassekou are two options from the Bundesliga, with the former familiar to Rangnick given his links with the Red Bull group. Marseille's Boubacar Kamara is an alternative option, possibly more viable than the pair from in Germany due to their prospective involvements for Mali in the African Cup of Nations this month.
Aside from Alvarez and the selection of midfield names, there have been very little links with anyone else from a United standpoint. Ousmane Dembele seems unlikely to sign a new contract with Barcelona due to an inability to meet his financial desire, and it has appeared from reliable sources that he favours move to the Premier League. Two clubs in the division have reportedly approached the French winger, with the teams believed to be United and Newcastle - seriously interested in signing him as sign as a free agent in the summer, with a big salary set to be offered. This wouldn't be a January deal, but a pre-contract agreement could be possible if United opted to pursue a move.
Regardless, the majority of the talk is about those who may leave the club, and Rangnick has put some of those discussions to bed in one way or another.
Edinson Cavani has been one linked heavily to a move away, with Barcelona rumoured to be very interested in the Uruguayan as a replacement for Sergio Aguero. However, the interest seems to have somewhat diminished over the last week or so. Now, Rangnick has come out and said, "We have had quite a few conversations over the last couple of weeks. I told him I desperately want him to stay until the end of the season, and he knows that."
"He also knows how highly I rate him and how highly I respect him. He knows that I will definitely not let him go. He is a highly important player for the rest of the season."
One reason for the reluctancy to allow Cavani to depart is the likelihood of Anthony Martial leaving the club. Rangnick has stated, "It has nothing to do with injuries," with relation to the Frenchman's recent omissions.
"He made it very clear that he wants to leave and I can understand his wish to play more regularly somewhere else. But again, it's a question not only of what he wants to do but also a question of which kind of clubs are interested in him and the demands of the club. We have to wait and see."
Sevilla looks the most likely destination for Martial, though they are unable to afford the player's wages - United are rightfully unwilling to split the pay. Barcelona have recently been mentioned, with the possibility of Martial being a part of a deal for Dembele, which could materialise as a six-month loan swap deal this month.
Rangnick has spoken of a wariness to let go of too many players, with indications that he may block some prospective loan moves to ensure his squad remains bulked up. "I know from some players that they would want to leave," he said, "Yes our squad is maybe a little bit too big with regards to numbers, but we still have Covid, we have three competitions and I think we could do with a bigger squad than maybe in times without Covid.”
This cautiousness is epitomised by his comments about Donny van de Beek, still really struggling for many minutes on the pitch. “[He has to] just work hard," said Rangnick, "So far, as I have got to know him, he has got a top mentality. He works hard in every training session. He is a team player through and through. There will be games where he will get his chance to play, I am sure.”
“I also had a long conversation with him last week about that and again, of course it is difficult for him right now because he also wants to play for the Dutch national team, he wants to qualify for himself and play in the World Cup in Qatar and in order to do that he needs to get game time here. I still believe we should keep him, and he should stay here, definitely until the end of this season and try to get as much game time as he possibly can.”
Rangnick has reportedly told Dean Henderson that he cannot leave United on loan next month, even though the goalkeeper is is prepared to leave the club permanently having lost his number one spot to David de Gea. The manager has apparently told Henderson he wants three first team ready goalkeepers in his squad, thus the club has shown no inclination to sell the goalkeeper. Sources have suggested the pair could end up in dispute over the decision.
If the stance on his future was changed, Ajax are suggested to have expressed interest in a loan deal until the end of the season. Tottenham are also monitoring his situation, but with more of a view to a summer transfer as Hugo Lloris approaches the last six months of his contract.
Phil Jones and Juan Mata may, however, leave the club this month given a profound lack of gametime, with United willing to let the pair go given their lack of involvement. Amad could still go out on loan, especially given a temporary summer switch to Feyenoord was prevented by an untimely muscle injury.
United look poised to terminate Axel Tuanzebe's loan at Aston Villa to send him elsewhere, even though Steven Gerrard commented, "He’s a player we like very much and we’d like him to stay until the end of the season at least. Axel is his own man and will want to make his own decision. We want him here, we would be delighted to keep him. We don’t just see it as a loan until the end of the season. It’s something we want to explore further than that. We just hope we’ve got that opportunity."
United have reportedly been in serious contact with Napoli about the Serie A side obtaining Tuanzebe's services until the end of the season, with the centre back willing to make the move to Italy given a lack of playing time in the Midlands. It's suggested that Napoli have reached a verbal agreement with United for Tuanzebe for a loan until June, with the deal involving a €500k loan fee but no buy option.
Ethan Laird has been given more scope to shine away at Swansea, with expectancy that he will be recalled from that loan and join Bournemouth for the second half of the season. He is wanted on the south coast by Scott Parker for the side that currently top the Championship, with Laird hardly in a promotion push at the moment with 16th place Swansea. If Bournemouth were to make the Premier League next season, there is potential that Laird's loan could be extended. United have been impressed with Laird’s progress in Wales, and see him as a first team player in the future.
It could be an abnormally busy January.
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