Manchester United just blew the doors off the title race. Honestly, nobody saw this coming a week ago. After Ruben Amorim was sacked on January 5, the mood around Old Trafford felt predictably bleak. Another "project" in the bin. Another interim manager stepping into the line of fire. But Michael Carrick’s first game in charge—a 2-0 dismantling of Manchester City this Saturday—has completely flipped the script.
Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu got the goals. The energy in the stadium was different. It wasn’t just the win; it was the way it happened.
Man Utd News and Transfer: Is the Winter Window Actually Dead?
The big question everyone is asking involves the checkbook. Before he was let go, Amorim was reportedly banging the table for an experienced striker like Danny Welbeck or Jean-Philippe Mateta. The board said no. They pointed to the £215 million spent last summer on the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha. Now that Carrick is in the dugout, the official line hasn’t changed: United are likely to keep their powder dry until the summer.
But you've seen this movie before. A massive win against your local rivals usually starts a conversation.
While the club says they are focusing on "long-term planning," the rumor mill is spinning. There’s concrete talk about Nottingham Forest’s Murillo and midfielder Elliot Anderson. Some reports suggest a double swoop could cost upwards of £150 million. That's not "January money" for most clubs, but United aren't most clubs.
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The Midfield Problem Nobody Talks About
While everyone focuses on the shiny new attackers, the real story in Man Utd news and transfer circles is the looming exodus in the middle of the park.
Casemiro is out of contract in June. Bruno Fernandes has been making some rather cryptic comments about people being "eager to have him" next year. Even Kobbie Mainoo, the golden boy of the academy, is in the middle of a contract tug-of-war.
The club is reportedly "all in" on Brighton’s Carlos Baleba for the summer, but if someone like Adam Wharton or Hayden Hackney becomes available now, would Carrick push for it? He knows Hackney from his Middlesbrough days. That's a connection you can't ignore.
What happened to the "Amorim Targets"?
It’s kinda weird how fast things move. Two weeks ago, we were talking about a 3-4-2-1 formation and specialized wing-backs. Now, Carrick has reverted to a more balanced setup that clearly suits the current squad better.
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- Joshua Zirkzee: He missed the derby with a "knock," but Roma are circling. United sources say he's staying, but if a big bid comes in, who knows?
- Sam Mather: The first official exit of 2026. He’s headed to Kayserispor in Turkey.
- Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher: Leeds United are sniffing around the 17-year-old protege.
Injuries and AFCON Returns: The Real "New Signings"
You don’t always need to buy players to improve the squad. Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo just got back from the Africa Cup of Nations, and they looked like men possessed against City. Mbeumo's 65th-minute strike was exactly what this team has been missing—clinical, direct, and ruthless.
On the injury front, it's a mixed bag. Harry Maguire made his first start in three months and, frankly, silenced a few critics. He looked solid.
However, Matthijs de Ligt is still struggling with a persistent lower back issue. Carrick mentioned in his press conference that the recovery has been "slower than what they thought." That’s a worry. If De Ligt doesn't get back soon, that interest in Murillo might turn from a summer dream into a January necessity.
The Youth Exit
It’s worth noting that the academy is seeing some movement. Beyond Sam Mather, there’s a feeling that United are thinning the herd. They are becoming more aggressive in selling young talent with buy-back clauses rather than just letting contracts expire. It’s a smarter business model, basically.
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What to Watch Before the Deadline
The January window closes on February 2. Between now and then, United have a massive trip to face league leaders Arsenal. If Carrick manages to get a result there, the pressure on the board to provide him with "one or two" additions will be immense.
Don't expect a superstar signing. The days of panic-buying a 30-year-old on massive wages seem to be (mostly) over under the new leadership. But a loan deal for a midfielder or a move for a young defender like Jeremy Jacquet? That’s definitely on the table.
Keep an eye on the "out" door too. If the club can shift some of the deadwood, it frees up the wage bill for a summer spree that could include Joao Gomes or even a cheeky bid for Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze.
Next Steps for United Fans:
- Watch the injury reports on Matthijs de Ligt: If he isn't in the squad for the next game, expect the Murillo rumors to hit fever pitch.
- Monitor Bruno Fernandes’ social media: His contract situation is the elephant in the room that the mainstream media is starting to pick up on.
- Check the Leeds United updates: If Ibrovic-Fletcher moves, it signals a shift in how United handles their elite youth prospects.
The win against City bought the board some time, but in the world of Manchester United, the peace never lasts long. One bad result and the "spend some money" chants will be back. For now, Carrick has the wheel, and he's driving it a lot better than most people expected.