Personal terms agreed! – 5 players Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Erik Ten Hag could sign for Man United this summer after quiet January transfer window

Personal terms agreed! – 5 players Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Erik Ten Hag could sign for Man United this summer after quiet January transfer window

Manchester United are coming out of the January transfer window with a seriously trimmed squad, but the summer may well allow them to dip into the market once more

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag at his team’s match against Wolves
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag didn’t make any January additions

January proved to be a quiet month for Manchester United once again, with Erik ten Hag’s side busy on the pitch on deadline day but quiet in the transfer market in its final throes.

Back in December, football director John Murtough indicated the club didn’t see the January window as a period to do significant business. Even so, some might have hoped for a last-minute surprise akin to the loan swoop for Marcel Sabitzer 12 months ago.

It wasn’t to be, though, and the last month has been all about outgoings for United. More than a dozen players have moved on, either on loan or permanently, with Isak Hansen-Aaroen’s late departure underlining where the club’s priorities lay.

The summer is different, though, or at least it could be. United’s plans are likely to be impacted by their league finish, with uncertainty over their European involvement next term, and a failure to reach the Champions League could impact the calibre of player willing to join.

Erik ten Hag must trust in Man Utd’s famous youth production line to turn around his season

Gary Neville left red faced after accusing Erik ten Hag of ‘managing player out of Man Utd’
With Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival likely to be followed by a statement signing or two, Mirror Football has assessed some of the options. And if United can offload some members of the current squad, there could be even more money to put towards new arrivals.

Giorgio Scalvini
United have not been afraid to do business with Atalanta over the years, with mixed results. Rasmus Hojlund has finally begun to kick into gear in the Premier League after a slow start, but winger Amad has found things tougher for a variety of reasons.

Next up could be Scalvini. The centre-back only turned 20 in December, but has been a Serie A regular for more than a year and scored his first European goal against Sporting CP earlier this season.

After being handed his international debut by Roberto Mancini in 2022, the youngster admitted he was comfortable in midfield as well as in his preferred role at centre-back. With questions over the longer-term future of Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane, a younger model could be just the ticket.

Jarrad Branthwaite
Speaking of young centre-backs, Branthwaite is a little older than Scalvini at 21 but would come with Premier League experience. The England under-21 international has impressed at the back for Everton this term, while also got regular top-flight football last season under Ruud van Nistelrooy at PSV Eindhoven.

United were among several clubs linked with a January swoop for the ex-Carlisle man, with some reports suggesting he might set them back around £40m. Whether that fee remains the same come June, with question marks over Everton’s need to cash in, remains in the balance.

“I think when all of those clubs are interested and watching your games, it’s gonna be one of them where you take notice,” Branthwaite exclusively told Mirror Football in May amid reports of interest from United and Roma. Since then, though, Sean Dyche has shown he sees him as a key player and Everton are unlikely to let him leave without a fight.

Joao Neves
Joao Neves playing for Benfica in the Primeira Liga

Benfica star Neves was another mentioned in connection with United in January, only for his club to firmly deny any talks had begun. “Sport Lisboa e Benfica denies the existence of any right of preference over its player João Neves,” the Portuguese giants said.

“Under no circumstances did Sport Lisboa e Benfica enter into talks with Manchester United or any other club about this player from their formation – nor does it intend to do so – so any information that points in another direction is false,”