Manchester United’s January transfer window saw three signings made, while 11 players left the club.
Ineos‘ second transfer window at Old Trafford is over and it was a month packed with more rumours than a January window would usually entail.
The majority of business was on the outgoing front, as Ineos prepared the Manchester United squad for a busy summer transfer window later this year.
So with the deadline now passed, here is how we’ve rated every deal done by United.
- READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date
Incomings
Ayden Heaven – £1.5m from Arsenal
After stealing Chido Obi from Arsenal, United repeated the coup by signing Ayden Heaven from the Gunners.
Heaven cost United £1.5m in a compensation packet to the North London side and upon his arrival, Wilcox confirmed Heaven will be in the first-team.
This deal is an interesting one and is low risk, high reward. Even if sold for profit there are no negatives to the deal.
Rating: 8/10
Diego Leon – £3.2m from Cerro Porteno
Diego Leon has not joined the club just yet, but his deal is agreed for June after his 18th birthday.
Leon cost United just £3.2m (rising to £7m) upfront, which is another complete bargain which sees United sign a player tipped to be the next Marcelo.
Like with Heaven, the fee Leon costs means the deal has little to no drawbacks as he has elite potential.
Rating: 8/10
Patrick Dorgu – £25m from Lecce
United’s blockbuster arrival in the window was Patrick Dorgu from Lecce.
Dorgu was announced by United on Sunday, and his arrival is long overdue as it should solve the biggest problem position United have.
Dorgu cost £25m upfront, rising to £29m which is a good fee for one of Europe’s most exciting talents who has been proving it for Lecce in Serie A.
What makes this an impressive deal is that Ineos managed to knock around £10m off Lecce’s original demands.
Rating: 9/10
Outgoings
Antony – loaned to Real Betis
One of the biggest names to depart United in January was Antony, as he got his long overdue move.
Antony joined Real Betis on loan. The deal made sense financially, with the Spanish side covering a minimum of 84% of Antony’s £200,00-a-week wage.
To get those wages off the bill, likely helped contribute to United being able to bring in Dorgu – so it is one we think is a good deal.
Rating: 8/10
Dan Gore – loaned to Rotherham
Heading into January, Dan Gore needed to be sent on loan having proven he was too good for academy football.
The move to Rotherham finally went through on Friday, with Gore already making his debut and assisting a goal at the same time.
Gore could benefit tremendously from this and it will be intriguing to see how he develops in League One.
Rating: 7/10
Ethan Ennis – loaned to Doncaster
Another loan deal saw Ethan Ennis depart Carrington and his starring role with the U21s to join Doncaster Rovers.
Ennis has been an instant success in League Two, assisting a goal and starting every game.
This is a perfect example of a well-placed loan – with the Doncaster manager delighted to have signed Ennis – and he’s reaping the rewards.
Rating: 7/10
Ethan Wheatley – loaned to Walsall
Ennis’ namesake Ethan Wheatley was also chosen to head out on loan this window and Wheatley has headed to Walsall in League Two.
Walsall were top when Wheatley joined and in his first few games, there have been clear signs that he will have the chance to score goals.
Sending the 18-year-old to League Two’s best club is as good as he could have asked for, now he needs to start getting goals.
Rating: 8/10
Ethan Williams – loaned to Cheltenham
There was also a third player named Ethan sent on loan with Ethan Williams heading to Cheltenham.
Unlike the other youngsters, he has been on the bench and limited to cameo performances in his short time on loan.
He will likely break into the starting line-up at some point, but he’s clearly not blown his new manager away just yet, which is why we’ve rated the deal lower.
Rating: 5/10
Jack Kingdon – loaned to Rochdale
Jack Kingdon only made his Rochdale debut at the weekend but it is an exciting foray into senior football for the central defender.
He clearly caught Rochdale’s eye in the National League Cup.
Rating: 6/10
Joe Hugill – loaned to Carlisle
Joe Hugill’s loan to Wigan for the first half of the season was cut short, with the forward being sent down a division to Carlisle who are relegation favourites.
Hugill has been solid to date for the League Two side and scored his first goal last weekend albeit in a 5-1 defeat.
With Carlisle struggling, Hugill is an instant undroppable and it will be good for him to get regular minutes.
Rating: 7/10
Louis Jackson – loaned to Tranmere
Another youngster sent on loan to League Two is Louis Jackson.
Jackson has joined Tranmere alongside Sam Mather where the pair are tasked with helping keep the Merseyside club in the EFL.
Given their standing in the league, Jackson will have a lot of defending to do.
Rating: 7/10
Marcus Rashford – loaned to Aston Villa
While Marcus Rashford has been in poor form for United, seeing him wear the shirt of a Premier League rival doesn’t feel right at all.
Rashford looked delighted upon the announcement and he was wished well by his teammates, but fans could soon be miserable over this move.
If Rashford goes and catches fire at Villa, all while Ineos fail to strengthen, then there will be plenty of fingers being pointed at those who were tasked with finding a replacement or sending Rashford abroad.
Rating: 4/10
Sam Mather – loaned to Tranmere Rovers
Like Jackson, Sam Mather will call the Wirral and Birkenhead home for the next few months after sealing a loan after the deadline had already passed.
Mather deserved the loan and it is excellent to see his development back on track, now we wait to see how he fares at Tranmere.
Will he be able to save them from relegation?
Rating: 7/10
Tyrell Malacia – loaned to PSV
Deadline day saw the loan departure of Tyrell Malacia as the left-back joined PSV for the rest of the season.
Malacia’s deal involves an option to buy for PSV, which could signal the end of his career at Old Trafford. The Dutchman was not good enough and Amorim hooked him at half-time four times in five starts which says a lot.
Rating: 7/10
Overall – 6/10
The window in total was altogether just okay. The loans were positive but a failure to replace Rashford or find a loan for Harry Amass brought the score down. Signing Dorgu is a real plus. Ineos need to do better in the summer.
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