In an attempt to turn around their difficulties, Erik ten Hag’s squad, the Red Devils, may look to the transfer market in January.

Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United has lost six of its first ten games in all competitions in 2023–24, setting the stage for a challenging start to the season. The club faces a formidable hurdle in overcoming their current troubles after losing their opening two Champions League games of the season and finding it difficult to get off the ground in the Premier League.

After Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Sofyan Amrabat, and Rasmus Hojlund were all added to the team during the summer transfer window, there are already rumblings among the Old Trafford supporters that they are not happy with the transfers that were completed. With the exception of Hojlund, none of these players have really taken off since joining the Red Devils, hence many are already considering trades that may be completed in January 2024 to aid in the club’s objectives.

In the hopes that there will be more money to supplement the money invested in the summer, Ten Hag might wish to look into possible incoming choices during the winter window to strengthen his options for the rest of the season. We now examine a few players who have been connected to a transfer to Old Trafford and consider the likelihood of a deal going through.

Ivan Toney

As previously said, Hojlund’s career in England has gotten off to a great start, particularly when it comes to the Champions League, where he has scored three goals. This suggests that Ten Hag is unlikely to want to sign a new center-forward because doing so may impede the 20-year-old’s development. Ivan Toney, though, has been mentioned as a possible January addition.

Toney’s Premier League expertise is an invaluable attribute that makes him an ideal candidate to come in and make an immediate effect. The Brentford forward, who is currently serving a suspension for gambling-related expenses, is scheduled to return to action in January. Football Transfers revealed earlier this summer that conversations between United and Toney regarding a mid-season transfer to Old Trafford had already taken place.

The striker’s future is beyond his control, according to Brentford manager Thomas Frank, who also hinted at a potential exit.

Goncalo Inacio

According to The Sun, Manchester United has told scouts to keep a careful check on the Portuguese center back in the upcoming months in preparation for a possible January transfer. With Lisandro Martinez dealing with injury concerns lately, Inacio, a left-footed defender, could be used in Martinez’s place. Given that Harry Maguire now fills the backup position on the left side of the defensive pairing, Ten Hag can’t be against some healthy competition for the position.

Planning ahead is advised because the club’s previous captain is very much out of favor with his manager and may decide to leave after the 2023–2024 season. Inacio can also play left defense, which is another area where United has struggled recently. According to reports, the 22-year-old’s new contract, which he signed at Sporting Lisbon in the summer, includes a £52 million release clause. For a team like Man United, this is superb value.

Javi Guerra

The Daily Mail claims that a ‘hands-off’ warning has been given to the Old Trafford club because of their interest in Valencia teenager Javi Guerra. Despite this, his current contract has an £86 million release clause, so should United decide the wonderkid is worth that much money, it is still possible.Guerra joined the Spanish club’s first team earlier this year, making his debut in April 2023. Since then, the 20-year-old has received a permanent promotion to the senior team for the 2023–2024 season. Although Ten Hag is primarily focused on his current challenges, the Dutch manager will probably also be scanning the future—which he plans to spend in the Old Trafford dugout—for the next great player to emerge in the sport. Newcastle United and other Premier League teams are reportedly in the running to capture the Spanish midfield player.

Jarrad Branthwaite

The Daily Mail reports that, similar to Inacio, the Red Devils are interested in Everton center-back Jarrad Branthwaite as they try to address Martinez’s injury concerns. Should United still be playing in the Champions League or Europa League at the beginning of the new year, the 21-year-old would probably seize the opportunity to trade a relegation struggle with Everton for a chance at possible European action.

Branthwaite has forced his way into Sean Dyche’s plans at Goodison Park since his successful loan spell with PSV during the 2022–2023 season. He has managed to play in the bulk of Everton’s Premier League encounters thus far. With just under two years remaining on his current contract, the center-back is expected to draw interest from potential bidders over the next transfer windows.

Benjamin Sesko

In the upcoming months, a striker will be considered to either play alongside or rotate with Hojlund, as Anthony Martial is anticipated to go sooner rather than later. Sesko has scored five goals in nine games for RB Leipzig so far this season, indicating that the forward is off to a strong start in Germany. He transferred from RB Salzburg to the Bundesliga team in the summer, so negotiating a trade in January would be exceedingly challenging. However, as is customary with the Red Bull organization, every player has a price.

If the Red Devils are successful in signing Sesko, they will have two of the most exciting young players in football, and Hojlund is also a player to watch. The Manchester Evening News claims that Old Trafford has a long-standing interest in Sesko and would use the opportunity to promote the forward to the Premier League soon.