Manchester United's January transfer plans have just got a lot more complicated
Manchester United are seemingly a club forever in transition. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a temporary boss when he arrives, and leaves United looking for another.
United announced Solskjaer’s sacking on Sunday after the 4-1 loss to Watford.
United also declared an intent to go and appoint an interim boss until the end of the season.
And while this may allow a better, wider chance of finding the right permanent successor, it also throws up a host of questions, specifically around transfers.
RONALDO NEEDS TO STOP WHINING.
Who makes the decisions?
Manchester United’s interim boss may not be given power to make squad additions in January.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was not permitted to make a single signing during his time in charge.
United do have a director of football now, John Murtough, supported by technical director Darren Fletcher.
But will they be given clearance to make decisions, alone, or in conjunction with a permanent boss.
And what if they sign a player who the future permanent manager does not like?
Any fee spent could be a waste of money if the recruitment is not correct.
This is why both the interim boss and permanent boss need to have a broadly similar philosophy, rather than having entirely different styles.
Ed Woodward is scheduled to depart, thankfully, but this also adds to the vacuum in power at the top when it comes to decision making over transfers.
Will players be allowed to come and go?
There is one thing worse than signing a player who the next manager does not want, and that is selling a player who he does.
What if the next permanent manager feels Dean Henderson is a superior option to take United forward to David de Gea, and United sell him permanently in January?
What becomes of the Paul Pogba situation? Jesse Lingard is also set to become a free agent.
Do United cash in for quick funds in January, or hold onto them for last ditch talks in the summer with United’s next permanent boss?
It is not an easy situation to solve in the regard of players with expiring deals.
With Henderson, and other wantaway players, United are most likely to strike a compromise and agree loan deals, if they are not in the interim boss’ plans.
It is worth noting though that Solskjaer was given permission to grant a permanent sale of Marouane Fellaini in January 2019 while still interim manager, without consideration given to whether the next permanent boss beyond him might want him.
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