Manchester United fans could be in for a rude awakening with Ineos’ transfer stance ahead of the January transfer window opening in 2026 amid the 2025-26 season.
The Red Devils strengthened significantly over the summer with the signings of Senne Lammens, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon.
The five aforementioned Manchester United summer signings have added further depth to Ruben Amorim’s squad options for the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
However, it still feels a long way away for the Red Devils to take the full shape of the identity that United manager Ruben Amorim wants to imprint on the club.
Amorim only arrived at Old Trafford in November 2024 and the recent summer transfer window was his first real opportunity to overhaul the United first team.
The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell now drops a huge Man Utd transfer update for the January window
Manchester United fans could see potential exits from Old Trafford in January, with both Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee linked with making loan moves away.
Speaking on The Athletic FC’s Talk of the Devils podcast, Laurie Whitwell said: “Well, I’d be surprised if anyone substantial came [to the club] in January, to be honest.
“I think we’ve touched on this before. Maybe if Kobbie Mainoo goes out or Joshua Zirkzee goes out on loan, then they bring in somebody on a temporary basis.”
The lack of United signings in the January transfer window will raise concerns for Red Devils supporters, especially regarding the vulnerabilities on the left side of the pitch.
Laurie Whitwell added that United could still pursue a midfield option in January, but it remains unclear if the Red Devils will actively try to sign a player for the role.
“I don’t see how they can actually sign a left wing-back because they’ve already signed one last January,” he explained.
“So, Patrick Dorgu, I know he’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but he’s certainly somebody that United needs to stick with for the foreseeable, at least in certain moments of games, in certain games.
“So yeah, I would say midfield. If you’re going to put a gun to my head and say which position, I’d say midfielder.”
Ineos are walking a tightrope by potentially not signing any players for Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim has mainly been managing week to week after United crashed out of the Carabao Cup in August at the hands of Grimsby Town at Blundell Park.
However, the Red Devils will see additional fixtures arrive on their schedule in the second half of the campaign, with the third round of the FA Cup beginning in 2026.
Amorim’s squad has managed injuries fairly well this season, but the Red Devils’ squad depth could take a hit for the short term in the coming months as well.
Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are likely to be called up by their respective countries for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in December.
Ineos’ decision not to explore at least one potential option in January, whether a midfielder or a wing-back, could come back to haunt United later in the season.
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