The Stretford End is buzzing, but maybe not for the reasons you’d expect during a January window. It’s Friday, January 16, 2026, and the vibe around Old Trafford is... complicated. Michael Carrick is officially back in the dugout as interim head coach after the Ruben Amorim experiment hit a wall, and everyone is asking the same thing: who is he bringing in?
Honestly? The answer right now is "probably nobody," but that hasn't stopped the rumor mill from going absolutely nuclear.
The Michael Carrick Factor and the Hayden Hackney Rumors
Carrick has been in the job for about 48 hours and he's already being linked with "his" guys. The biggest name floating around today is Hayden Hackney. If you've followed Carrick’s managerial rise, you know Hackney was his engine room at Middlesbrough.
The logic is simple. United’s midfield has looked leggy. Hackney knows exactly how Carrick wants to play. But there’s a massive catch. Tottenham are also sniffing around, and word is they’ve already had a £30 million conversation about the lad. United are reportedly "biding their time," which is usually code for "the recruitment team hasn't decided if he's actually better than what we have."
Murillo and the Harry Maguire Exit Plan
Then there’s the defense. Harry Maguire is back in the headlines, and not just for his usual gritty performances. He’s 32 now, his contract is ticking down toward the summer, and Serie A is calling. Both AC Milan and AS Roma are apparently looking at him as a "cheap but experienced" January fix.
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If Maguire goes, United need a body. Enter Murillo from Nottingham Forest.
The Brazilian center-back has been one of the most consistent defenders in the league this season. He’s quick, he can pass, and he doesn’t get bullied. Reports today suggest United have him at the top of their shortlist, but Forest aren't exactly in a "selling mood" midway through the season unless someone drops a ridiculous amount of cash. We're talking £50 million-plus. United spent over £200 million in the summer on guys like Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, so the bank account might be feeling a bit light for a January panic buy.
What’s Happening with Kobbie Mainoo?
This is the one that actually hurts to write. There are whispers—real ones—that Kobbie Mainoo is frustrated. He hasn't been a nailed-on starter lately, and Napoli are reportedly hovering. They want him on loan.
It sounds insane, right? Sending United’s golden boy to Italy for six months? But the rumor persists because Mainoo wants minutes before the World Cup. Carrick, however, is a midfield specialist. You’d think the first thing he did when he walked back into Carrington was sit Kobbie down and tell him he’s the future. If United actually sanction a loan for Mainoo, the fan base might actually riot.
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The "New Moises Caicedo" and Other Long Shots
United are also looking at the next generation. Ederson Castillo, a 17-year-old from LDU Quito, is the name being whispered in the corridors of power. They’re calling him the "new Moises Caicedo." He’d probably cost about £4 million, which is pocket change for a club this size.
Other names popping up in the news today:
- Adam Wharton: Crystal Palace don't want to sell, but he's the dream target for the summer.
- Carlos Baleba: Brighton’s midfield destroyer is back from AFCON and United are "monitoring" him.
- Elliot Anderson: Another Nottingham Forest player who has impressed the scouts.
Why the "Now" Matters
If you're looking for a "Done Deal" graphic today, you're going to be disappointed. The only official movement has been recalling youngsters like Toby Collyer and Ethan Wheatley from their loans.
The reality is that United are in a holding pattern. They have a massive game against Manchester City this weekend. Carrick needs to see what he’s got before he starts demanding new signings. Plus, with the club already having shelled out for Sesko and Mbeumo recently, the "Value for Money" mantra is back in style at INEOS.
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What You Should Actually Expect
Don't expect a frantic deadline day. Unless a "market opportunity" (the favorite phrase of football directors) pops up—like a disgruntled Karim Adeyemi or a cut-price Joao Gomes—United will likely keep their powder dry.
The focus is on the summer of 2026. That’s when the real surgery happens. For now, it’s about Carrick stabilizing the ship and maybe, just maybe, convincing the current squad to play like they actually want to be there.
If you’re tracking these moves, keep a close eye on the Maguire-to-Italy situation. That’s the domino. If Harry leaves, the hunt for Murillo gets very real, very fast. Otherwise, get used to the current squad for a few more months.
To stay ahead of these developments, watch the team sheets for the Manchester Derby. If certain players are left out entirely, it’s usually the first sign their agents are already house-hunting in another city. Checking the "out of contract 2026" lists is also a pro move; that’s where United’s recruitment team is spending most of their time right now.