This winter transfer window, Manchester United owners and management don’t want to spend that much. Instead, the club wants to use the summer window in 2023 to make the biggest adjustments to the team.
According to a report by The Athletic, Erik ten Hag already has names selected to complete his Manchester United squad. However, the Glazer family, as well as other United staff, will not please the manager, likely to the dismay of an already disgruntled fan base. Last summer, United spent the second-highest among any club in Europe at $264 million. The Glazers don’t want to spend as recklessly as in a month’s window in January.
Despite bringing in familiar faces like Antony for over $100 million or Lisandro Martinez for $60 million, ten Hag isn’t satisfied. Early season struggles forced the hand of the board, dropping exorbitant fees on Casemiro and the aforementioned Antony. Those two players, acquired in the last two weeks of the transfer window, took $180 million out of United’s transfer budget.
Fortunately for the club, form improved domestically, as United managed four wins after two defeats to open the season. Now, those responsible for Manchester United are looking for a similar splash in 2023, only in the summer.
It looks like a frugal winter window is looming at Manchester United, if the owners and executives are to be believed.
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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 tie up loose ends as clubs make late runs in trophies or placement.
For Manchester United, that probably revolves around defensive help. Most of United’s big summer signings came in midfield. Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Antony don’t help defensively. Of course, Martinez and former Feyenoord defender Tyrell Malacia secured the starting roles under ten Hag.
Still, the key gap is the right side. Diogo Dalot started all eight matches in the Erik ten Hag era. His performances have been decent, certainly a rebound from the previous season. However, depth is key at the position, with a struggling Aaron Wan-Bissaka the natural candidate in Dalot’s wake.
However, with funds tighter, the winter window issue at United, don’t expect the traditional big signing from the Red Devils.
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