The transfer window is complete and Manchester United have been a little busier than we expected. Let’s take a look at the winners and losers at Old Trafford.
Winners
We have picked out five winners at Manchester United from the month that has just gone…
Wout Weghorst
Wout Weghorst began the month drowning his sorrows after Netherlands’ World Cup quarter-final exit. He was stuck in the Turkish Super Lig at Besiktas, a club he used as a summer escape route from Burnley after a disappointing move to Turf Moor a year ago.
Now 12 months on he finds himself as a Manchester United player, signing on loan. Now he is leading the line at Old Trafford. It has been quite a turnaround for the Dutchman.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka began the transfer window being tipped for a move away, with mid-table Premier League clubs circling. He has turned his fortunes around.
The right-back has stepped up, even before Diogo Dalot’s injury, and shown Erik ten Hag that he deserves to be part of his plans. All the clubs interested in him, have had to look elsewhere.
Ten Hag told the club website: “In the restart, he was available, and he got used to our way of play, what we introduced, and I think he made a good development, a good progress. I think you see him growing game by game and I’m happy.”
Jack Butland
Jack Butland has swapped being Crystal Palace’s third choice for being Manchester United’s third choice. Even if he doesn’t play a game for the club, he is in a better situation.
This loan move is one Butland will cherish, being part of a squad pushing to win trophies. If he impresses, he might even replace Tom Heaton as number two at the end of the season.
Facundo Pellistri
Facundo Pellistri is another player whose fortunes have turned around over the past month. The young winger had not made a single appearance before January, and was expected to be sent out on loan.
Pellistri has instead won over his manager, and is a part of Manchester United’s first team squad between now and the end of the season.
He has now made three appearances, and could make a fourth in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest.
Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag is proving his power at Manchester United. The new manager has real sway, successful in getting deals done.
With no money made available for permanent transfers, Ten Hag has still managed to get three transfers in, with Jack Butland, Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer deals done.
Previous managers have ended up with weaker situations from stronger positions. Rather than taking ‘no’ for an answer, Ten Hag has managed to strengthen his side.
Losers
The transfer window has not been great for everybody. Here is a look at those who may be disappointed with how it panned out…
Anthony Elanga
Anthony Elanga was denied a loan move, despite United receiving 10 offers including from Borussia Dortmund and PSV. It might all work out for him if he stays, however, he will only be a bit-part player.
Elanga has started only one match for Manchester United since September, and needed to go and play regularly. He will have to wait.
Zidane Iqbal
Zidane Iqbal has been overlooked for a first team chance this season. At the weekend he was with the under-21s instead of in the FA Cup squad.
Christian Eriksen’s injury might have given him a chance, however, United then went out and signed Bayern Munich star Marcel Sabitzer instead.
Iqbal did not get a loan move, and he may also struggle for game time. This seems like a missed opportunity for the youngster.
Teden Mengi
Teden Mengi missed a loan move in the first half of the season due to injury. Then in December against Cadiz, he suffered another hamstring injury.
He did not recover in time to secure a loan move, and looks set to effectively lose a season of his development without playing a competitive game.
Dean Henderson
Dean Henderson might have had the most misfortune of all these players. The Manchester United loanee began the window as first choice at Nottingham Forest, then injury struck.
Forest signed Champions League winner Keylor Navas on deadline day, and Henderson has a real fight to reclaim his place in the team when fit again.
Brandon Williams
After late speculation he could be on the move, Brandon Williams ended the transfer window still as a Manchester United player.
Williams might provide emergency back-up depth, but he has little chance of regular playing time, and would have been better served going out on loan.
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