It is Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and if you're a Manchester United fan, your head is probably spinning. Ruben Amorim is gone. Michael Carrick is officially back in the building as interim boss. And the January transfer window is wide open, leaking rumors like a sieve.
Everyone is talking about who is coming in to save the season, but honestly, the conversation is usually backward. We focus on the "big names" when the club is clearly pivoting toward something else. The chaos at Old Trafford hasn't stopped the recruitment team from scouting, even if the manager's office has a revolving door.
The Midfield Crisis is Real (Again)
United sits 8th. They’re only six points off Bournemouth in 15th. It’s grim.
The biggest problem? The engine room. Casemiro has been a warrior, but he's losing his legs. Manuel Ugarte has looked like a fish out of water in the Premier League so far. Even Kobbie Mainoo, the golden boy, was barely used by Amorim before he got the sack.
Now Carrick is stepping in, likely bringing back a 4-2-3-1, and he needs bodies. Fast.
The "Bargain" Solution: Ruben Neves
This one feels like a "back to the future" move. United wanted Neves years ago when he was bossing it at Wolves. Now, he’s at Al-Hilal, and his contract is ticking down toward June 2026.
Reports suggest a £20 million deal could be done this month. That is pocket change for a player with his passing range. Carrick knows a good midfielder when he sees one, and Neves fits the profile of a "control" player that United has lacked since... well, since Carrick himself retired.
Man Utd Midfield Targets: The Big Shortlist
If you look at what Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell are doing, they aren't just looking for a quick fix. They want "game-changers."
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Here is who is actually on the radar right now:
- Carlos Baleba (Brighton): He’s the crown jewel. United have been obsessed with him since last summer. Brighton, being Brighton, want upwards of £100 million. He’s basically Moises Caicedo 2.0 but with more "oomph." It’s unlikely for January, but he is the long-term priority.
- Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest): This is the one that has Fabrizio Romano talking. Forest want a massive fee, but Anderson has been a revelation under Thomas Tuchel for England. He’s got that "Premier League proven" tag that the board seems to crave.
- Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace): The comparisons to Paul Scholes are constant. He’s silky, composed, and exactly the kind of player who makes everyone around him look better. Again, the "English tax" makes this a difficult winter deal.
- João Gomes (Wolves): Known as "The Pitbull." If United want grit and someone to actually tackle people in the middle of the park, Gomes is the guy. Napoli is also circling, so United might have to move fast if they want him.
The Wildcard: Ederson Castillo
While the big names dominate the headlines, keep an eye on Ederson Castillo. He’s a 17-year-old playing for L.D.U. Quito in Ecuador.
United don't want to repeat the mistake they made with Caicedo when they passed on him for a few million quid. Barcelona is trying to hijack this one, but United have already made contact. He can’t move to the UK until he turns 18 in December, but a "buy now, join later" deal is very much on the table.
Why the "Amorim Targets" Still Matter
It’s weird, right? The guy who wanted these players is gone. But the recruitment team—Wilcox and Vivell—rejected seven of Amorim's targets because they didn't fit the "data-driven" model the club is moving toward.
Instead of Ollie Watkins, they spent £74 million on Benjamin Sesko.
This tells us that the man utd midfield targets we see now aren't just "manager picks." They are "club picks." Whether it’s Carrick, Luis Enrique (who is reportedly a top target for the summer), or a return for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the recruitment strategy is finally becoming independent of the guy in the dugout.
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The Conor Gallagher Situation
Conor Gallagher is struggling for minutes at Atletico Madrid. He seemed like a perfect "Amorim player"—high energy, high press. But even with Amorim gone, the interest remains because United's midfield is so static.
Aston Villa is currently leading that race, though. If United wants him, they need to stop dither and act.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that United will spend big this January.
They won't.
The board has set two very specific conditions for January signings:
- The player must be a long-term target.
- They only move if they risk losing the player to a rival.
This is why the Ruben Neves talk is so loud. He's cheap, he’s experienced, and he fills a hole without breaking the bank before a new permanent manager arrives in the summer.
Looking Ahead: The Next Steps
If you're following the transfer news this week, don't just look for the most expensive names. Look for the technical profiles. Carrick is going to want to stabilize the defense, which means he needs a midfield that doesn't leave the back four exposed every five minutes.
What to watch for in the next 48 hours:
- The Carrick Announcement: Once he’s officially in, expect the Ruben Neves rumors to move from "interest" to "advanced talks."
- The Outgoings: Keep an eye on Casemiro. If a Saudi club comes in with a big offer this month, it might fund a move for someone like Adam Wharton earlier than expected.
- The Youth: Don't be surprised if Shea Lacey or Jack Moorhouse (recalled from loan) get a look-in. Carrick has a history of trusting the academy.
The midfield isn't going to be fixed in one window. It's a massive job. But getting a controller like Neves or a "pitbull" like João Gomes would at least give United a fighting chance to climb back into the European spots before the season ends in a complete disaster.
Stay tuned. It’s going to be a long month.
Actionable Insight for Fans: Follow the movement of Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell rather than just managerial rumors. Their "data-led" approach is now the primary driver of recruitment, meaning targets like Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton remain the priority regardless of who is sitting in the dugout on Saturday.