The focus at Manchester United in January will be on loan deals, according to reports.
This is perhaps the strongest hint yet that United don’t have the finances to make permanent signings midway through the season, with Ruben Amorim starting work as head coach next week.
Amorim will be given time to assess a squad he inherits from Erik ten Hag. A side that has underperformed despite winning two trophies in as many years.
It is understood that United’s budget has been stretched after Ten Hag was sacked last week and replaced by Amorim. Both decisions were costly.
According to Football Insider, sources claim it will be difficult under Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) for Amorim to spend any money in the January transfer window.
This is why United could look to the use of loan deals, with the club yet to use their two allotted Premier League loan spaces this term.
Ruben Amorim in the loan market
It will depend on whether Amorim or INEOS have any players in mind, but you won’t find any world-class players in that market during a season.
The priority should be finding a left-back and striker – but not for the sake of it. We’ve made countless signings down the years that didn’t work and we need a better success rate if we want to make any progress.
Unfortunately, I don’t expect Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres to be available on loan.
Amorim will take charge of his first United game on November 24 against Ipswich Town. He will take control of the first team as head coach during the international break on November 11.
The Portuguese coach comes to United from a thieving Sporting side, winning two league titles in his four years at the club. His job at United will be similar but with way more pressure.
It’s only a matter of time before he decides what the team needs.