Manchester United had a busy January, with three different managers at the helm of the game, with the club still operating in the transfer market until deadline day.
Manchester United appointed Michael Carrick in January (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
January was a busy month for Manchester United, but not when it came to new signings. The Red Devils were unable to add a single player to their squad, but the Old Trafford bosses have confirmed the departure of a number of players.
United’s priority in the transfer market was, of course, their financial situation. Following the sacking of Ruben Amorim on January 5, the club appointed Darren Fletcher on an interim basis.
Fletcher was in charge for two games before Michael Carrick was handed the job until the end of the season. Carrick started out like a house on fire. They won their first three games against Manchester City, Arsenal and most recently Fulham.
But United were focused on the dugout and had no intention of doing business. Here, Mirror Football runs all the deals made at Old Trafford.
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sold
On 17 January, United announced that Sam Mather had signed for Turkish side Kayserispor. Mather, 21, has been at the club since the age of seven and won the FA Youth Cup in 2022.
The forward has also spent time on loan at Rochdale and Tranmere Rovers, and has now joined Kayserispor permanently. Although United did not receive a commission, it will receive 20% of future sales.
Next to leave was Joe Hugill. The striker, who was also a member of United’s Youth Cup-winning squad, has signed for Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock for an undisclosed sum.
Hugill joined United from Sunderland in 2020. The 22-year-old has spent loan spells at Burton Albion, Wigan Athletic, Carlisle United and Barnet.
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Joe Hugill leaves Manchester United to join Kilmarnock (Image: Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Finally, Rhys Bennett was sold to Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee. Bennett, 22, spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Fleetwood, making 35 appearances for the first team.
The centre-back joined United at under-10 level and won the Youth Cup as captain. Mr Bennett, whose father tragically committed suicide last year, also spent time on loan in Stockport County.
already lent
As for loan deals, Harry Amass joined Norwich City for the remainder of the season before suffering a “serious injury” in training. Left-back Amas was previously on loan at fellow Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.
Toby Collier also moved from club to club in the second division. After injury, midfielder Collier returned from a spell at West Bromwich Albion and joined Hull City for the remainder of the campaign.
Tyrell Malasia has been blocked from signing on loan to Besiktas (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Ethan Wheatley has joined Bradford City on a six-month loan. Striker Wheatley was previously on loan at fellow League One side Northampton Town.
And just one minute before the deadline, it was confirmed that James Scanlon would join Swindon Town on loan. Midfielder Scanlon will get his first taste of senior football in League Two.
There was almost a fifth loan in the form of Tyrell Malasia. The Dutch defender was about to board a flight to Turkey ahead of signing for Besiktas, but United’s director of football Jason Wilcox intervened to prevent his departure following injuries to fellow left-back Patrick Dorg and Ammas.
Sold: Sam Mather (Kaiserispor, free), Joe Hugill (Kilmarnock, undisclosed), Rhys Bennett (Fleetwood Town, undisclosed).
On loan: Harry Amas (Norwich City), Toby Collier (Hull City), Ethan Wheatley (Bradford City), James Scanlon (Swindon).
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