id be happy with just getting another cm prospect into the pipeline. Get someone signed then loan them back to their club to continue developing. Keep stockpiling the future since casemiro and bruno arent going anywhere this season and between mainoo and ugarte we have enough cover, whatever they are at this point. Suffer this season and just keep building for the summer when can really make the smart final moves.
Which midfielder will we sign January 2026?
- Thread starter IrishRedDevil
- Start date
As I have said before - Sander Berge would be a perfect january-signing for us. He could do the cover for Casemiro that Ugarte can't. And I think he can be priced away from Fulham for .. £40 million ?
Bruno and casemiro are 31+. They probably have 1-2 yrs tops of this high intensity style of football. Ugarte is not very good and mainoo will probably leave. We need new personnel quickly and there's a limit to the amount of 100m signings we can make. Id go for garner and Altimira. Both are 6ft+, they are mobile, versatile, good with the ball and hard working . The former will be free in few months time while the latter has a 60m euros minimum fee clause. That should give us some foundation to build upon
I say Casemiro has this seasons tops, he can't last a full game. He won't be offered a new contract. Probably join Ronaldo. We Need two center midfielders badly in the summer and a wing back.
What’s going on, have we found one yet (not Gallagher)?
Realistically what top midfielder is going to be available in January?
Only loan options for Jan - ideally players that are stuggling for game time in a workd cup year.....weve got several of thise wanting out as well.
Therefore the only real option could be Gallagher - Anderson/Baleba/Wharton are not going anywhere in Jan unless for an astronimical price and Jim wont do that.
Unless our new scouting network can unearth a gem from overseas but we need someone to hit the ground running in Jan if we get anyone.
Only loan options for Jan - ideally players that are stuggling for game time in a workd cup year.....weve got several of thise wanting out as well.
Therefore the only real option could be Gallagher - Anderson/Baleba/Wharton are not going anywhere in Jan unless for an astronimical price and Jim wont do that.
Unless our new scouting network can unearth a gem from overseas but we need someone to hit the ground running in Jan if we get anyone.
I can't understand turning the nose up at Gallagher. Think he would be an incredible Jan addition
I like him, but it seems like we need a dm foremost, not a cm.
If neither of Anderson or Camavinga are available in Jan, but there are funds available, then you might as well try and steal a march already on one of Chema Andres, Ayyoub Bouaddi, or Kees Smit - who although young seem good bets at having elite potential, while at least being capable as bench options in the short-term while they are integrated and develop.
I'm unconvinced by Wharton's ultimate potential, and Baleba's form this season is a huge red flag. Both could find themselves overtaken in desirability in the foreseeable future, especially for the mooted fees.
Also, someone like Gallagher would be utterly pointless - Mainoo kept him out the England side, and Ugarte functions better as the needed number 6 role, even if he's not playing well at the moment. If you're looking at a buy for the short-term I'd also rather take Lucas Paqueta from West Ham.
I'm unconvinced by Wharton's ultimate potential, and Baleba's form this season is a huge red flag. Both could find themselves overtaken in desirability in the foreseeable future, especially for the mooted fees.
Also, someone like Gallagher would be utterly pointless - Mainoo kept him out the England side, and Ugarte functions better as the needed number 6 role, even if he's not playing well at the moment. If you're looking at a buy for the short-term I'd also rather take Lucas Paqueta from West Ham.
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I don’t want us to sign an up and coming prospect, I want someone who can come in and add value straight away.
Who would that be?
Fbref without context is the worst way to look at players .Really?
Gallagher:
Ugarte:
Yes Gallagher is more of a goal threat, but I don't think that's really so essential right now for a United midfielder when Bruno and Casemiro are already in the squad. Those kind of yellows which Ugarte picks up are sometimes needless, but often essential for a team playing with an open 2 man midfield looking to protect a scoreline.
Kees Smit looks like he’s going to be a hell of a player and I think his physicality gives him the edge over the other youngsters you mention. I get serious De Bruyne vibes from him
Bouaddi and Andres are both bigger and probably stronger than Smit?...
But all of them I think seem as if long-term they'd have the required physicality to do well in the Prem. Maybe Chema Andres might have a slight question mark over his turning circle and lack of acceleration (slight elderly Matic vibes at the mo), but that could improve.
They all offer something a bit different, but seem excellent prospects for what they are. Andres more of a Matic/Rodri type 6; Bouaddi as a solid all-rounder like perhaps a Rice or Anderson; Smit as you say very much with De Bruyne vibes.
I've seen enough of Conor Gallagher to know that he's a headless chicken who flatters to deceive. He runs around a lot and pops up with the odd goal, but I'd still rather Ugarte as someone to protect the defence, which is what United need more in the short-term.
I was listening to some football journalists earlier this week, and they were saying Berrada squeezed every last penny out of the budget in the summer, and the reason the Lammens deal was so late was because we couldn’t afford it until we’d banked the Garnacho money. None of that indicates to me they’ll be much to spend in January.
As such, I’d imagine our options are to sell someone to fund a signing; Zirkzee, Ugarte and Mainoo (sadly) being the most obvious candidates or, bring in someone on loan. Probably something like the Sabitzer deal; a player out of favour at a big club that wants game time ahead of a World Cup.
Personally, I’d be on the blower hawking Ugarte round for book value.
As such, I’d imagine our options are to sell someone to fund a signing; Zirkzee, Ugarte and Mainoo (sadly) being the most obvious candidates or, bring in someone on loan. Probably something like the Sabitzer deal; a player out of favour at a big club that wants game time ahead of a World Cup.
Personally, I’d be on the blower hawking Ugarte round for book value.
Don't think it is the worst way. Thats reserved for the individual eyetest with personal preferences and bias included. The team approach impacts the numbers a player is generating, no doubt about it. But in a situation where it is difficult to have something substantial to get a grip on, this data is certainly up there since there isn't much better available.
FBref makes ugarte look like one of the best off the ball DM's cause he tackles, intercepts and blocks, when truth is a simple look at him tells you that his basics as a defensive midfielder are wrong, he is too eager to win the ball and gets caught wrong side of the player so many times . Gallagher does not have this issue, so unless you have not been watching ugarte, you simply cant say gallagher is a headless chicken. He isnt great but he is better than ugarte, gallagher is stronger, better positionally and doesnt have a glaring flaw like ugarte. He is also a better passer and carrier than ugarte, his recieving technique is pretty good and can recieve back to goal. If you d seen both, you d know this. He hasnt been playing as deepest midfielder at atleti anyway and isnt a pure DM, but as a footballer and even a Defensive player, he is better than ugarte.
I cant believe anyone can make the statement about ugarte and protection of defense when he has looked so clueless. Let me refresh-
Rushes in to the man, rather than what a proper defensive player would/expected to do ie stay goal side and protect, The first job of defensive midfielder is to delay, deny and protect, this is taught as basics in coaching, ugarte doesnt follow this cause his gift for tackling carried him through uruguay and even sporting . Rather than trying to delay the attack, he jumps in, gets passed easily, then he doesnt commit a foul and lets odobert past so easy. When VDV ran through us last year, It was ugarte who couldnt/ wouldnt take him out. Lets not even talk about second goal, where he gets shoved like a kid and fails to recover. Casemiro in both positions does the right thing.
I am for data but you need the eye test to support it, ugarte is not the player his stats show, not for a team that wants to play in posession. He is a good tackler but his positioning is wrong and his anticipation and eagerness makes him leave spaces that is one of his biggest issues and why a coach like enrique wanted him gone. Positional discipline is one of the biggest reasons he fails. Also ugarte strength is poor compared to defensive mids, he gets regularly shat on by attackers and where a proper DM fouls and takes yellow, he gets shrugged aside, there is a reason we concede as soon as he comes on, cause the centre becomes too soft. I dont think he should be at united.
Ugarte out gallagher in on loan would be a net positive for us and would allow us to rest casemiro and use a more comfortable on the ball player. This is the kind of signing you can make and should make if the player you want is unattainable or overpriced for january market.
I agree that Gallagher is a headless chicken, but Ugarte is like the corpse of a chicken slowly rotting in midfield. Gallagher would be a minor improvement, but the correct answer is probably “neither of them”.FBref makes ugarte look like one of the best off the ball DM's cause he tackles, intercepts and blocks, when truth is a simple look at him tells you that his basics as a defensive midfielder are wrong, he is too eager to win the ball and gets caught wrong side of the player so many times . Gallagher does not have this issue, so unless you have not been watching ugarte, you simply cant say gallagher is a headless chicken. He isnt great but he is better than ugarte, gallagher is stronger, better positionally and doesnt have a glaring flaw like ugarte. He is also a better passer and carrier than ugarte, his recieving technique is pretty good and can recieve back to goal. If you d seen both, you d know this. He hasnt been playing as deepest midfielder at atleti anyway and isnt a pure DM, but as a footballer and even a Defensive player, he is better than ugarte.
I cant believe anyone can make the statement about ugarte and protection of defense when he has looked so clueless. Let me refresh-
Rushes in to the man, rather than what a proper defensive player would/expected to do ie stay goal side and protect, The first job of defensive midfielder is to delay, deny and protect, this is taught as basics in coaching, ugarte doesnt follow this cause his gift for tackling carried him through uruguay and even sporting . Rather than trying to delay the attack, he jumps in, gets passed easily, then he doesnt commit a foul and lets odobert past so easy. When VDV ran through us last year, It was ugarte who couldnt/ wouldnt take him out. Lets not even talk about second goal, where he gets shoved like a kid and fails to recover. Casemiro in both positions does the right thing.
I am for data but you need the eye test to support it, ugarte is not the player his stats show, not for a team that wants to play in posession. He is a good tackler but his positioning is wrong and his anticipation and eagerness makes him leave spaces that is one of his biggest issues and why a coach like enrique wanted him gone. Positional discipline is one of the biggest reasons he fails. Also ugarte strength is poor compared to defensive mids, he gets regularly shat on by attackers and where a proper DM fouls and takes yellow, he gets shrugged aside, there is a reason we concede as soon as he comes on, cause the centre becomes too soft. I dont think he should be at united.
Ugarte out gallagher in on loan would be a net positive for us and would allow us to rest casemiro and use a more comfortable on the ball player. This is the kind of signing you can make and should make if the player you want is unattainable or overpriced for january market.
For a short term loan, gallagher, can even have an option to buy just in case he does well about 30 m. This is just to get till summer, then you buy two mids depending on budget. You have to think what gives the best chance to finish as high as possible, the answer is keeping ugarte away from the pitch and having a midfielder who can rest casemiro and score a goal or two if needed , is available on a cheap-ish loan.
Atleti have been taken over and apollo are expected to change the squad. Fabrizio said, there ll be a few changes in jan. So there is a deal to be done.
I agree, he’s better than Ugarte but we’re in tallest dwarf territory with that. It’s a deal I’d do on deadline day when I’d exhausted all other options, because I really don’t rate Gallagher. Ugarte is dreadful though.
Yeah can agree to this.
I really like yarmouluk from brentford, he should be an option we should consider as one of 2 we buy.
I’d take Gallagher, just because often we capitulate when Case has to come off, and his replacements have been extremely poor this year (Ugarte and Mainoo)
Just out of interest - were you apparent in the team meeting where Ruben assigned and defined roles? Because if not, it is somewhat steep of you to assume that every team and manager follows the exact same role and task understanding as you.FBref makes ugarte look like one of the best off the ball DM's cause he tackles, intercepts and blocks, when truth is a simple look at him tells you that his basics as a defensive midfielder are wrong, he is too eager to win the ball and gets caught wrong side of the player so many times . Gallagher does not have this issue, so unless you have not been watching ugarte, you simply cant say gallagher is a headless chicken. He isnt great but he is better than ugarte, gallagher is stronger, better positionally and doesnt have a glaring flaw like ugarte. He is also a better passer and carrier than ugarte, his recieving technique is pretty good and can recieve back to goal. If you d seen both, you d know this. He hasnt been playing as deepest midfielder at atleti anyway and isnt a pure DM, but as a footballer and even a Defensive player, he is better than ugarte.
I cant believe anyone can make the statement about ugarte and protection of defense when he has looked so clueless. Let me refresh-
Rushes in to the man, rather than what a proper defensive player would/expected to do ie stay goal side and protect, The first job of defensive midfielder is to delay, deny and protect, this is taught as basics in coaching, ugarte doesnt follow this cause his gift for tackling carried him through uruguay and even sporting .
I don't agree with that and think singleing him out in both goals is pretty harsh but each to their own. The situation on your screenshots would be interesting for different reasons to me - first we were in numerical advantage here, so I am not sure what you think Casemiro would have done differently - should he taken up a central position not challenging Odoberts run? Because we already had a backline of 5 with one player spare to step up into such a position. The other noticable thing to me is where is Ugartes midfield partner in this instance. But as said - we have a spare man in defence so this might not be a mistake.
The numbers are the numbers. It is fine if you don't like the player and feel that he isnt a great fit. Most posters on here would agree to you. Even I would but thats down to our team being not good in terms of progression of the ball - a problem that only gets emphasized when Ugarte plays.That doesn't change the numbers though. They are what they are.
I personally think adding Gallagher would be a good move because I agree, he has a more rounded skillset than most (if not all) our midfield options plus offers more physical peak points. But I wouldn't make this dependend of a move of Ugarte. I have no issues trying to make some money with him, but we shouldn't give him away for little in return. Most teams out there make use of pressing as a primary defensive approach, we arent as much these days (which isn't a mistake, I am just pointing it out) but when we do, a mobile ballwinner becomes a different proposition than a sitter, which is what you seem to want to go for.
Seeing a lot of videos popping off on Joao Gomes (Wolves). Another Brazilian, 24 year old out of Palmeiras we’d been linked to before. Metrics this year would lead you to believe he’s a combo, all action midfielder, but I have never seen him play. Thoughts?
And while we’re at it, since the new Wolves coach is now Hayden Hackney’s former coach, what’s the take on Hackney? Lots was said in the summer about him.
Just a couple of “cheaper” options to throw into the ongoing discussion. Good shout? Bad shout?
And while we’re at it, since the new Wolves coach is now Hayden Hackney’s former coach, what’s the take on Hackney? Lots was said in the summer about him.
Just a couple of “cheaper” options to throw into the ongoing discussion. Good shout? Bad shout?
What a stupid question to ask, ofcourse i was there. I mean its the basis of coaching a position to any player, its as common as teaching a striker a front post run or teaching a central midfielder to scan (again what ugarte doesnt do). Ruben actually asked me for my opinion and poor chap hasnt played ugarte since. I was present when ruben told ugarte he had become complacaent and wasnt close to the player he was at sporting, laurie whitwell of athletic reported this recently. I was also the one who leaked this.
Its not what casemiro would do, its what every positionally aware DM would do as well, you delay the attack as much as you can, giving players behind you chance to get in position and scan surroundings for opposition players, this isnt something revolutionary just basics of the game. The decision was wrong to rush, the execution worse cause he got shrugged off by odebert and dint foul him and take the yellow. It wasnt one mistake it was 3 in that small sequence. If ugarte is to step up, you get the ball or you delay the man or you take him out, making sucha weak effort when you have been on for 15 mins is pretty awful. This might look like i am being harsh, but its simple, he has been this bad, this is only one example, like i said watch the van de ven assist from last season and look at ugarte's attempt to stop him.
Now the actual question you ve asked is should ugarte have stayed central ? answer is no, ugarte should have followed odobert ie not make the run towards him, where he gets done, but jockeyed him wide making him delay and letting help arrive from wide position. He lets players get goal side of him all the time, this is just one recent example. On having an extra cb, that cb wont jump to left midfield, if you look in first picture, they arent free, yoro and de ligt are occupied by tel's run in between em and shaw is marking richarlison. Amad is 1 v 1 vs the wide player, now ugarte jumping means odobert's movement draws amad central, rather than being ready for 1v1 and give space to udoggie, udoggie crosses and tel scores. Initially the ball was lost in midfield by mount and bruno was ahead of him, so it wasnt possible to come back to cover as ugarte failed to delay the move, if he did, team falls back and amad is better position to delay or block the cross, which makes more players fall back. I am not saying its the only mistake in the game, but it certainly is one of the biggest, specially doing three things that helped the other team play quicker.
Numbers are numbers isnt the right way, numbers without context is nothing. you can have 100 % pass accurace by making 1 pass and doing nothing for 90 mins, ugarte game lacks positional discipline, he gets into high volumes of challenges which is impressive, but positional discipline and letting players goal side is a major flaw which will get exposed in what is the best league in the world. He is gifted, which took him out of uruguay and made him stand out in portugal, but when it comes to top level, the cons outweigh pros charging in and tackling. He could ve improved but hasnt till now his positional discipline which is a huge flaw. I am sure you have seen game state's he ahs come on and what has happened after him coming on. Its not a coincidence, if case was 2 years younger, he wouldnt be subbed. He actually has decent tools, its the application of defensive basics that he dint need to use cause he was a talented tackler have become a problem at the highest level.
Also your point about us not being a pressing team? mate you know where he came from? The manager who has made ousmane dembele a pressing monster? He dint find a use for ugarte, pressing isnt about tackling, you need to understand when to go and what space you are leaving behind and if you should or should not.
Gallagher on loan or a relative unknown on loan like when Sabitzer came in on deadline day.
No way are Forest or Palace letting Anderson or Wharton go.
Could see Baleba potentially being up for grabs given his stock has fallen but I can’t see it now.
No way are Forest or Palace letting Anderson or Wharton go.
Could see Baleba potentially being up for grabs given his stock has fallen but I can’t see it now.
The above analysis on Ugarte matches my impressions of him lately. He does seem complacent and lets his man get the better of him. What the feck.
Gallagher can be useful but he’s not a dm, which is why I think we need someone who excels in screening rather than an all-action cm. I’d still take him over Ugarte.
Gallagher can be useful but he’s not a dm, which is why I think we need someone who excels in screening rather than an all-action cm. I’d still take him over Ugarte.
We probably won't sign any midfielders in January - we'll need at least two next summer, though.
Who knows, but I’ll say this- he’s not worth the fee, the hassle with Brighton, or perhaps too “green” and risky with the performance drop off, whereas Elliott Anderson is the most complete all around midfielder, playing at such a high level and far more ready for the big club jump.
Nice story. Still doesn't change the fact that not every manager has the exact same role description for his defensive players as you do. Some approaches require them to contain, others require them to be aggressive. It is fine if you think that Ugarte somehow made a mistake in that first goal, I personally don't see it. He secures the centre, yes, he could have done more to get the ball from Odobert but this guy is a dribbler so I don't think it was a mistake not too overcommit. The issue in that goal is not dealing with the cross when you are in numerical advantage.
Just look at your first screenshot - for what should he delay anything? The back line consisted of 5 players that were distanced well.
ok... Well I guess there is no point in debating, when you are so deadcertain about who the culprit is. So be it.
Again - I think, you fall for the same issue the club has as well - that Ugarte was a sitting holding midfielder. When he seems to be a mobile, steely ball winner. I would agree with much you said in this paragraph. I still don't see why to be overly harsh in evaluating his performances. If Casemiro were a few years younger we wouldn't have to talk about Ugarte - but he isn't. And I think, it wouldn't be too hard to make a case that Casemiro doesn't get the nod because of his defensive discipline but for his willingness to pass it forwards - something thats a bigger issue for us as a team than not holding a position.
So you think, Ugarte had to leave PSG because he wasn't a good enough presser?
Not sure how many people will agree to this mate. Because the way more plausible explanation for wanting to get rid of him were his limitations on the ball.Wonder if he's mentally checked out and just waiting to be sold. Amorim seemed to prefer him last season, but he let the manager down and with the (likely imo) rumours of Amorim criticising him at the end of last season, think it was then at least, he probably knows his time here is done.
I'm in the minority on this, but we need a LWB much more than a DM right now. Dalot is a disaster and Dorgu is still on his training wheels, whereas Casemiro does a proper job for us. True, Casemiro can't go 80 minutes any longer, but we're not going to bring in a Casemiro replacement in January.
To make the 343 work we need a Dalot upgrade, not a Casemiro upgrade in January. In the summer, we must open the bank vault for a proper Casemiro replacement...even if we actually keep Casemiro for another season. We'll presumably be in Europe in some fashion so we will then need all hands, or in this case all feet, on deck.
To make the 343 work we need a Dalot upgrade, not a Casemiro upgrade in January. In the summer, we must open the bank vault for a proper Casemiro replacement...even if we actually keep Casemiro for another season. We'll presumably be in Europe in some fashion so we will then need all hands, or in this case all feet, on deck.
I could see a cheeky bid for Tonali. There’s a lot of rumour about him being unhappy in Newcastle. To the point where he feels like he has to do interviews with him and the Mrs walking on the worlds most depressing beach, saying how much he loves it.
I know Manchester isn’t exactly the Côte d’Azur but it’s an upgrade of sorts.
I know Manchester isn’t exactly the Côte d’Azur but it’s an upgrade of sorts.
Kind of agree. CM can in the worst case wait until the summer but our LWB needs upgrading right now
Can’t see us pursuing now.
Said this somewhere else, but does he not have the look of foreign player that is hating living in England? Think there’s a real whiff of he/his wife/wider family just haven’t settled at all.
If this is true, then Newcastle will likely try and sell Tonali abroad and then look to use some of those funds to bring Anderson back.
Still think Kante could do a job for us for a little while. Man is a machine. He should have played from Manchester United. It's never too late.
He was tidy today vs Ukraine