This winter transfer window, the owners and board of Manchester United want to not spend so lavishly. Instead, the club wants to use the summer window in 2023 to make the major adjustments to the squad.
According to a report from The Athletic, Erik ten Hag already has names picked out to fill in to his Manchester United side. However, the Glazer family, as well as other members of United’s staff, will not oblige the manager, likely to the dismay of an already disgruntled supporter base. This past summer, United spent the second-highest among all clubs in Europe at $264 million. The Glazers do not want to spend as recklessly as that in the monthlong window in January.
Despite bringing in familiar faces like Antony for over $100 million or Lisandro Martínez for $60 million, ten Hag is not satisfied. Early season struggles forced the board’s hand, dropping exorbitant fees on Casemiro and the aforementioned Antony. Those two players, acquired within the last two weeks of the transfer window, drew $180 million out of United’s transfer budget.
Fortunately for the club, form picked up domestically, as United rattled off four wins following two defeats to open the season. Now, the heads of Manchester United look for a similar splash in 2023, only in the summer.
A frugal winter window at Manchester United looks to be in store, if the owners and executives are to be believed.
The winter window at Manchester United
Erik ten Hag recently stated that he wants to improve the structure in and around the club. Explicitly, he mentioned the January transfer window, usually a time to shore up loose ends while clubs make late runs at trophies or placement.
For Manchester United, that likely circles around defensive help. Most of the major signings for United in the summer came in the midfield. Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Antony do not help defensively. Of course, Martínez and former Feyenoord defender Tyrell Malacia locked up starting roles under ten Hag.
Still, the key void is right-back. Diogo Dalot started all eight games in the Erik ten Hag era. His performances have been decent, certainly an uptick from the previous campaign. However, depth is key at the position, with a struggling Aaron Wan-Bissaka the natural candidate in Dalot’s wake.
Yet, with tighter funds the theme for the winter window at United, do not expect the traditional major signing from the Red Devils.
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