Manchester United could rethink January approach amid injury problems

Manchester United could reconsider its position in the January transfer market as injuries raise concerns about squad depth, particularly at left-back and centre-forward. The club rarely makes major additions during the winter window, but its current problems could lead it to reassess its approach.

Benjamin Sesko’s shin problem has also renewed questions about the decision not to sign another striker in the summer. Manchester United is still assessing the issue, with surgery among the options being considered. Sesko’s return date remains unclear.

The club had sought to strengthen at left-back before the summer window closed, but did not complete a move for Manchester City’s Rayan Ait-Nouri. It also withdrew from a proposed transfer of Joshua Zirkzee to Everton because there was not enough time to find a replacement.

Manchester United has previously been willing to recruit in January when the squad needed reinforcement. In January 2023, the club brought in Wout Weghorst, Marcel Sabitzer and Jack Butland on short-term loans. That does not guarantee further business: United has often preferred the summer for major changes. Given the extra demands of Champions League football, United may need to balance the expense of a winter recruit against the possibility of insufficient squad depth in the season’s second half.