Everything feels different at Old Trafford today. Honestly, the atmosphere during that 2-0 win over Manchester City was something most fans hadn't felt in years. It wasn't just the scoreline; it was the vibe. Michael Carrick stepped back into the dugout as interim boss, and suddenly, the "United DNA" everyone keeps yapping about actually showed up on the pitch.
Ruben Amorim is gone. He’s out. The power struggle over transfer policy basically made his position untenable after that Leeds game. Now, the club finds itself in a strange, mid-winter limbo where the results are great, but the long-term plan is still sorta being written on a napkin behind the scenes.
The January Transfer Squeeze
If you’re looking for a massive spending spree this month, I've got some bad news. United are being incredibly cautious.
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The club dropped over €250 million last summer. That’s a lot of cash. With the search for a permanent manager pushed back to the summer of 2026, the board—specifically Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox—is hesitant to buy players who might not fit the next guy’s system. It makes sense. Why buy a wing-back for a 3-4-3 if the next manager wants to play a flat back four?
Real Targets on the Radar
That hasn't stopped the scouts from working overtime. United are currently locked in a €30 million battle for Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu. He’s been a beast in Turin this season, playing every single minute. While Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt are the future, Kalulu’s versatility is exactly what Carrick is looking for to patch up a leaky defense.
Then there’s the midfield problem. Carrick knows a thing or two about playing in the middle of the park, and he’s reportedly eyeing Marcos Llorente from Atlético Madrid. He’s 30, he’s experienced, and he’d cost around £30 million. Not cheap, but he's a "plug and play" solution.
Wait. There is more.
- Ruben Neves: He’s at Al-Hilal but wants back in the Premier League. Rumor has it he’s available for £20m.
- Adam Wharton: The Crystal Palace star is a long-term target, but Palace aren't selling cheap in January.
- Elliot Anderson: United like him, but Nottingham Forest have basically blocked any move for now.
The Carrick Effect and the Derby Win
The win against City was huge. Huge. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed it, but the real story was the tactical shift. Carrick didn't overthink it. He went back to basics, and it worked.
Interestingly, Mbeumo and Amad Diallo flew straight back from AFCON and went right into the XI. That’s a bold move. It paid off. The energy in the press was higher than anything we saw under Amorim’s final weeks.
Injury Room Updates
The medical staff is still a busy place. Matthijs de Ligt is the big worry. He’s been out since November with a back issue, and Carrick admitted the recovery has been "slower than what they thought."
On the bright side, Harry Maguire is finally back. He started the derby and looked solid. Joshua Zirkzee missed the City game with a "knock," though everyone is whispering about a move to Roma. United sources say he's staying put for now.
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Who Takes the Wheel in June?
The board is playing a very long game. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers actually met at Carrington last Thursday—the first time a Glazer has seen the new facility. They’re aligned on one thing: don’t rush the permanent appointment.
The club is willing to wait until after the 2026 World Cup to get their man. That opens the door for:
- Thomas Tuchel (England)
- Julian Nagelsmann (Germany)
- Mauricio Pochettino (USA)
- Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil)
Basically, United want a heavyweight. But there’s a wildcard: Oliver Glasner. He’s leaving Crystal Palace at the end of the season, and Ralf Rangnick has reportedly given him a glowing recommendation to the United hierarchy. If Carrick keeps winning, though, the pressure to give him the job permanently is going to get loud. Fast.
Practical Steps for Fans
Keep an eye on the Toby Collyer situation. He’s heading to Hull City on loan after a stint at West Brom. It shows United are finally getting serious about managing their youth assets properly.
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Also, watch the Harry Maguire news. Napoli and Inter Milan are sniffing around, but Carrick has reportedly blocked any January exit. He wants the veteran around for the top-four push.
The club is currently just three points off fourth-place Liverpool. If they can navigate the rest of January without losing ground, the summer of 2026 might actually start with Champions League football on the table.
Stay tuned to the official club channels for medical clearances on De Ligt, as his return will dictate whether United pull the trigger on a defender like Kalulu before the January 31st deadline. Monitor the contract situations of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, as their potential pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs this month will signal how much midfield surgery is required in the next window.