Manchester United face key decisions in the January transfer window with Kobbie Mainoo’s future at the club in the air
With the January transfer window fast approaching, there is a familiar sense of excitement and expectation building around Old Trafford.
Manchester United are well used to hectic transfer periods, even if their outcomes in the mid-season market have been inconsistent at best. For every Bruno Fernandes and Nemanja Vidic, there has also been an Alexis Sanchez or a Dong Fangzhuo.
January has frequently been a difficult time in terms of form for United, yet smart recruitment in the coming weeks could deliver the boost Ruben Amorim’s team needs to press forward and launch a genuine challenge for a Champions League spot.
Speculation surrounding marquee signings has been gathering pace for some time, matched by talk of notable exits. Although no agreements have been finalised so far, one thing remains clear: when Manchester United enter a transfer window, controversy and intrigue usually follow. With that in mind, here is a round-up of the latest United-related headlines.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
Mainoo transfer update
Amorim has acknowledged that allowing Kobbie Mainoo to leave on loan would be “hard”, especially if United fail to bring in a suitable replacement. Mainoo has spent much of the campaign on the subs bench, a situation that has placed both his long-term United prospects and his place in England’s World Cup squad under real threat.
The 20-year-old asked to depart temporarily during the summer window and is expected to renew that request in January. However, with Amorim already short of options in central areas – a concern heightened after Fernandes was forced off against Aston Villa last weekend – another rejection looks likely.
“If we are not getting someone [in], then we are shorter [in midfield],” the Portuguese manager said. “Even with a full squad, we are shorter when something can happen here.
“We are a club with a big responsibility, we are dealing with all these issues and in your head, my head, and everyone’s heads, we need to win every game, it doesn’t matter, there are no excuses, so it’s going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don’t get a substitution [new signing].”
When questioned about whether Mainoo could step up once fit if Fernandes remains sidelined, Amorim explained: “He will have the opportunity that he has all the time. He played in different positions and we talk about the position of Casemiro – he can do that. He can play, if you play with three, like we did in the last game, the position of Mason Mount in this game, he can play there.
“He is going to be the future of Manchester United. That is my feeling, so he just needs to wait for his chance and everything can change in football, even in two days.”
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
‘Shock’ bid to re-sign academy graduate
Manchester United are said to be weighing up an unexpected approach for former youth product James Garner. The midfielder, now 24, spent nine years developing at Old Trafford and featured seven times at senior level before completing a move to Everton in 2022, following loan spells with Nottingham Forest and Watford.
Since arriving on Merseyside, Garner has become a dependable figure at Goodison Park and, according to the Daily Mail, United are keeping a close eye on a potential low-cost return. His current Everton deal runs out at the end of the campaign, presenting United with an opportunity to strengthen their midfield cheaply, while Everton may prefer a January sale rather than risk losing him for free.
Bringing Garner back could make it easier for Mainoo to secure a loan move and could be especially significant if Manuel Ugarte – who has also been linked with a departure – exits during the winter window. Although United continue to follow more high-profile midfielders like Carlos Baleba, Elliott Anderson and Adam Wharton, Garner stands out as a cost-effective option.
Importantly, he would not need time to adapt due to his history with the club and would provide dependable energy, industry and squad depth. Garner made only two Premier League appearances for United but was used more regularly in the Europa League, with all seven of his senior games coming across the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons.