The transfer window has finally shut with every club concluding their transfer business until the summer.
Manchester United signed one player for the first team as Patrick Dorgu arrived from Lecce. It was the second deal of the month after Ayden Heaven’s move from Arsenal on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim would have hoped to strengthen his squad after a rocky start to life at Old Trafford as United head coach. United are not winning football matches and that is making it difficult for the team to climb up the Premier League table.
United lost 2-0 against Crystal Palace on Sunday when Dorgu and Heaven were unveiled to the Old Trafford faithful.
Meanwhile, there has been several high-profile exists. United academy graduate Marcus Rashford, who had been banished from the United first-team under Amorim, has sealed a loan move to Aston Villa until the end of the season.
Fellow attacker Antony has also been allowed to leave after joining Real Betis on loan.
There has also been a host of other loan moves throughout the month. Youngster Dan Gore joins Wigan Athletic, with Ethan Wheatley agreeing to join League Two promotion-chases Walsall.
On top of that, Joe Hugill has joined Carlise, with Ethan Ennis also being sent on loan to Doncaster Rovers. Ethan Williams gets a chance to prove himself at Cheltenham Town and Jack Kingdon has the same opportunity with Rochdale.
In the dying hours of the transfer window, Sam Mather and Louis Jackson completed loan moves to Tranmere.
Winners from Manchester United transfer window
Patrick Dorgu: After enjoying a rise to prominence at Lecce in Italy, Dorgu has made a giant step in his early career by signing for Manchester United. The 20-year-old arrives at Old Trafford in a position that requires a lot of improvement. He has a great chance of becoming one of Amorim’s key players.
Benfica: United were in the market for a new left wing-back and Alvaro Fernandez’s name was regularly mentioned as a potential target. It made sense since United have a buyback clause for the young Spaniard, who has impressed with several Champions League appearances this season. Benfica are worthy winners for keeping hold of Fernandez this month.
Antony: While Antony flopped at United, it’s a relief for all parties that he can now focus on playing football again. He’s already claiming man of the match awards at Real Betis. Long may that continue because he needs to recoup some of his value ahead of a likely summer exit.
Alejandro Garnacho: There was a lot of talk about United cashing in on Alejandro Garnacho but most fans will be relieved to hear that was nonsense. Despite interest from Napoli this month, the Argentina international will be going nowhere.
Malacia: A late loan move to PSV Eindhoven ensures that Tyrell Malacia will get regular football for the remainder of the season, which is a major positive. That way United will be able to recoup some of the money they were likely to lose on him.
Losers from Manchester United transfer deal
Marcus Rashford: After making it clear that he wanted to start a new chapter elsewhere, Marcus Rashford was dreaming of a switch to Camp Nou rather than Villa Park. At least he will be playing Champions League football.
Casemiro: Amorim has left the Brazilian out of his line-up on multiple occasions and he is finding it difficult to get game time. Casemiro had a shortage of interest and will remain at United for the remainder of the season. It remains to be seen if one of the Turkish clubs will show an interest since their transfer window is still open for business.
Victor Lindelof: It has been clear up until this point that Amorim doesn’t fancy Victor Lindelof in United’s defence. The Swede would have been better off finding a club elsewhere to play regular football. There wasn’t enough interest to secure a move away from Old Trafford which is pretty telling. Lindelof may get more minutes now that Lisandro Martinez is injured.
INEOS: Although United needed a left wing-back and got one, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos are guilty of letting Amorim short in the striker department. The club said goodbye to Antony and Rashford but failed in their search to sign a striker.
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