Winter transfer windows are rarely busy, and it has been quite an eventful month for Manchester United despite a disappointing quiet deadline day.
While the club did not sign a striker amid calls to do so, Manchester United did make three additions, Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, and Diego Leon, the latter of who will join up in the summer.
Out the door went Marcus Rashford, Antony, Tyrell Malacia all on loan, exits that could lead to permanent departures in the summer.
Late on transfer deadline day, United In Focus held a Q&A with transfer insider Graeme Bailey on United’s business, Ruben Amorim’s squad, and the season-ending injury to Lisandro Martinez.
Here is a full run-down of the Q&A, with highlights including just how highly new signings Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven are rated.
On Alejandro Garnacho
- Alejanro Garnacho stayed at Manchester United amid speculation over an exit.
Graeme says… Firstly Manchester United and Ruben Amorim never made Garnacho available, they never told him he could move – like Marcus Rashford.
The conversations came via Garnacho’s side – Napoli were keen but were never going to get near a potential United valuation but Chelsea were a different proposition.
United did not fear Chelsea, but they were wary that they could not only afford Garnacho but unlike Napoli they really could turn his head.
It did not get to an offer and United refused to rule out he could leave – but as said they did not instigate it
Does Garnacho have a long-term future? I am still not convinced and am told Garnacho isn’t either.
There is no bad blood between Garnacho and Amorim, that has to be said – there is just a realisation that he is not a great fit for the system.
On Mathys Tel
- Manchester United backed away from a deal for Mathys Tel, who signed on loan with Tottenham.
They are [satisfied] in terms of the deal was not right for them, this new footballing department and Ineos are not about to cry over ‘spilt milk’ that’s the message coming from them.
Tel was an opportunistic target, he was one the club knew about – even before he went to Bayern Munich and when he was made available it made all the sense in the world to go for him.
The deal that Tottenham have done in terms of loan fee, wages – United just weren’t willing to do that and it never really came into their thinking to push like Spurs did.
I do wonder had United been pushing for top-four etc, would they have done more – possibly. I am sure the footballing department will keep half and eye on his progress though and he will be available in the summer in theory, so they might return for him. Never say never.
On Patrick Dorgu
- Manchester United signed Patrick Dorgu from Lecce for £24 million plus add-ons.
Patrick Dorgu is a landmark signing for Manchester United – the first solely made to fit the Ruben Amorim system.
I reported the New Year how much United’s scouts loved Dorgu – they believe he is the perfect fit for Amorim and his squad moving forward.
The deal took it’s time but they got him for less than Lecce’s €40m asking price and although the fee wasn’t key, they are delighted with every aspect of this move.
On Marcus Rashford
- Marcus Rashford signed on loan with Aston Villa, with the deal including a permanent option.
Ruben Amorim will be pleased in respect that he won’t get asked about Rashford at every single press conference…well actually, he won’t get asked about him not playing – he is going to get asked about whether he has watched him, no doubt.
I think at the very least it gives United, Amorim, the squad and Rashford himself some breathing space – a chance to reflect.
This move will do one of two things to Rashford – he will either realise he should have left United before now or he will realise that the grass isn’t greener.
In terms of a permanent deal, we know the option is available to Villa, but a fee was never the issue.
The issue is the deal he is on and it is not just about the basic wages, his image rights situation is a massive thing. Villa would struggle massively to get near his deal. Already at two-thirds, 70% of his wages – he is Villa’s highest earner, they can’t go much higher – so who is going to swallow the other £100,000-a-week?
But let’s see how it plays out – he has a Champions League campaign to look forward to at Villa and he goes to Villa Park needing to perform.
And one thing I would emphasise, United realise this is a risk – like with Antony’s loan to Real Betis. United saw Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood go out and perform on-loan which meant their exits were feasible as a result – but look at Anthony Martial when he stunk the place out at Sevilla – if that happens here, Rashford won’t be going anywhere…
On Amorim vs Ten Hag
- Ruben Amorim is getting his first chance to begin to build his own United team.
As I alluded to when talking about Patrick Dorgu – Amorim hasn’t had chance to shape this squad – we can’t even begin to judge him until after the summer window, in my opinion. He has literally only had one signing made for him.
This squad is not fit for purpose – Ten Hag’s signings – Onana, Mount, Casemiro and Hojlund – the money spent on those four is now haunting the club whilst their lack of ability is haunting Amorim.
I don’t buy into him changing system just so United could maybe finish a few positions higher – he has to get his players used to playing like this – the whole club needs to be entrenched in how Amorim wants to play.
And that is the thing – from Ten Hag’s first day to last, what was his system? How did he want to play? We did not know – but we already know that with Amorim.
On Ayden Heaven
- Manchester United have signed Ayden Heaven from Arsenal, an addition to the first team squad.
Ayden Heaven arrival… I wrote about Ayden Heaven in November time, he really was on the radar of England’s best clubs and Europe, he really is considered a generational talent.
I am told by Arsenal sources that although around the first-team – if he had signed his deal when he turned 17 – you would now be talking about him alongside his friends Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, he potentially that good.
If Heaven is that good and Yoro performs – these two could be cornerstone pieces in terms of United’s defence.
On Lisandro Martinez
- Lisandro Martinez has suffered a serious knee injury ruling him out for the rest of the season and beyond.
Losing Lisandro Martinez is a blow to Ruben Amorim not just his lack of games, but what he brings to the squad in terms of his levels – he is never satisfied and is a great influence on the younger members of the squad.
The devil in me might suggest, have we seen the last of Martinez in a Manchester United shirt – in terms of the players who have a long-term futures, I am not convinced Martinez is one of them.”
On Tyrell Malacia
- Tyrell Malacia left Manchester United on deadline day to sign with PSV Eindhoven on loan.
He is another that just doesn’t fit the system – it is why we probably won’t see Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot as long-term members of the squad.
Amorim has decided he does not have a future. He has been so unlucky with injuries, but we are unlikely to see him in United colours again.
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