Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has told fans the club is unlikely to make a signing this window.
The window opened Thursday and teams could buy or sell players between now and Feb. 2 at 7 p.m.
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However, the Portuguese coach has admitted there have been “no discussions” about new signings this month.
The worrying revelation comes just days after United were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom-placed Wolves, leaving them sixth.
Joshua Zirkzee gave United the lead midway through the first half before Ladislav Krejci equalized for the Midlands side just before half-time.
Amorim had a number of players to call upon for the stalemate, notably Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui, as they were in action at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Captain Bruno Fernandes was also missing through injury, as were centre-back duo Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, with Amorim forced to use academy stars Jack Fletcher and Bendito Mantato due to a long list of absences.
And ahead of Sunday’s game against Leeds, Amorim was asked whether the opportunity to secure Champions League football would influence United’s approach to the transfer window.
More bad news
“The transfer window won’t change,” Amorim replied bluntly, despite being linked with a move for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande in January.
“We are not having discussions about a change in the squad, there is a process, there is an idea.”
“We are close to the Champions League places, but also eight teams behind us, so we are concentrating on the next game.”
Amorim has previously suggested that there was a falling out between him and United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, over Christmas when he discussed strengthening the squad in January.
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Ahead of the games against Newcastle and Wolves, Amorim said: “I think we do things; sometimes I have one idea, Jason and the board have another, but in every decision we make we have to find common ground.”
“That’s really important because you don’t have to do everything for the manager, because the manager can change and then you have to change everything. But you also have to understand that the manager understands the style of play.”
The United boss then suggested he would have little money to spend in the January window following the summer prosperity, adding: “I feel like if we have to play a perfect 3-4-3 we’ll have to spend a lot of money and take time.”
“So I’m starting to understand that that’s not going to happen. So maybe I have to adapt.”
Squad goals
Amorim’s entry into the January window suggests a number of enticing stars will remain at Old Trafford beyond the winter.
Kobbie Mainoo, Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte have all been linked with a move away from United this month, although the latter pair have featured more frequently in recent weeks due to the absence of key players.
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Mainoo, meanwhile, hopes to leave the club in January to salvage his slim hopes of the 2026 World Cup.
The England international has yet to start a Premier League game this season, having been on the bench for all eleven games in the top flight.
The 20-year-old had hoped to leave the club over the summer after coming down the midfield pecking order, but his request was rejected by the club.
Italian club Napoli were said to be interested in Mainoo, while Serie A club Roma were reportedly eyeing a move for Zirkzee.
But when asked if Mainoo, Zirkzee, Ugarte or other fringe players had asked to leave in January, Amorim replied: “No, none of them. I don’t expect them to come to me and ask anything.”
United will be hoping to get back to winning ways against rivals Leeds this weekend.
Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Wolves means United have won just three of their last 10 league games, losing ground in the race for a place in the top four.