Manchester United are already planning for the January transfer window after a disastrous start to the 2026/27 season. The club spent £155million to reshape their midfield in the summer, but the arrivals of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba have not had the desired impact. Michael Carrick's future as manager is under threat following a run of just two wins in 12 games.
The team sits 16th in the Premier League, having gone eight matches without a win. Club chiefs are looking for a new manager while also considering transfers in January. Injuries have left the squad exposed, with the failure to sign a left-back in the summer, when top target Lewis Hall was unavailable from Newcastle, proving costly. The lack of depth up front is another obvious issue.
Left-back targets
United needed a left-back before the season kicked off and need one even more now, with injuries to Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu highlighting their lack of depth in the position. Shaw is in his 13th season for the club and a long-term successor is needed.
Tyrick Mitchell has plenty of Premier League experience and a contract with Crystal Palace that expires in June. The 27-year-old has made 256 appearances for Palace and can play as a conventional left-back or a left wing-back. Palace are aware of interest in Mitchell and reportedly want to tie him down to a new contract, but their early-season struggles under Pierre Sage could play into United's hands.
Rayan Ait-Nouri's move to Manchester City from Wolves has not gone to plan, with the Algeria international failing to hold down a place in the starting XI. The arrival of Enzo Maresca has not helped, with Josko Gvardiol and Nico O'Reilly his preferred options. City are reportedly ready to sell in January, but Ait-Nouri still has over three years left on his contract and moved for £31million in 2025.
Adrien Truffert is the most ambitious of the three left-back targets. He is happy at Bournemouth, who thrashed United 3-0 last weekend. The 24-year-old has impressed since his £14m move from Rennes last year, but Bournemouth would be extremely reluctant to sell mid-season.
Striker options
United are also thin on the ground up front. Carrick confirmed on Thursday that Benjamin Sesko would be sidelined until January with a shin injury. Club chiefs have reportedly identified Leeds' Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a target. The former Everton centre-forward has scored five times this season, adding to his 15 strikes in his debut campaign.
Calvert-Lewin's contract runs until the summer of 2028, but Leeds could extend it to ward off interest. It seems very unlikely that Leeds would sanction a move for their first-choice striker to their fiercest rivals mid-season.
Jean-Philippe Mateta's future at Crystal Palace has been a constant source of speculation in 2026. He nearly joined AC Milan in January, only for the deal to collapse due to a knee injury. Mateta's contract expires in June. The 29-year-old is understood to be open to joining United in January, but his injury record is a consideration, having only played four times this season due to a hamstring issue.
