Manchester United transfer plan revealed as Erik ten Hag shelves trio

Manchester United have revealed their January transfer plans, while Erik ten Hag has shelved his three main transfer targets for later.

With the January transfer window soon approaching, managers in the Premier League will be planning the right strategy to see them through to the end of the season. One team who needs to be smart about their business is Manchester United, who have been plagued with injuries and off-field issues so far this season.

For Erik ten Hag, the plan is clear. He would like to sign a centre back. This has been reported multiple times over the last few weeks, but it has recently taken a turn. Unfortunately, it’s a turn which fans aren’t going to be best pleased with.

Manchester United reveal their January transfer plans under Erik ten Hag

According to a report from Football Insider (via 90min), Manchester United plan to bring in a budget centre back signing in the January transfer window. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag will push aside deals for the likes of Marc Guehi, Jean-Clair Tobido and Goncalo Inacio for a later date.

Short-term signings are essential and impossible to avoid. However, from Manchester United’s perspective, this will be hard to accept. With there expected to be player sales in the January window, it seems obvious that the board will have some funds to use on player signings.

Furthermore, Jonny Evans was signed in the summer on a short-term deal. Surely, then, this was United’s short-term answer. This means they would have signed two stop-gap centre backs within the space of six months, which doesn’t look good on paper.

United’s January transfer window was always going to be complicated and lacklustre, in truth. It’s important to remember that the club is still yet to decide upon its takeover situation, which will certainly have an impact on the resources available to Ten Hag in January.

Who do you think Manchester United will sign in January?