Mainoo replacement, Casemiro heir: 8 stars Man Utd should target in January

There is always pressure to succeed at Manchester United, and after a rather poor start to Ruben Amorim’s reign at Old Trafford, the transfer market may provide the Red Devils with their quickest route to glory.

Amorim spent big in the summer, with over £200m being invested into his frontline alone as the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo joined for sizeable fees.

The jury still appears to be out on the Portuguese manager, who could only guide his new side to a 15th-place Premier League finish in 2024/25, along with a demoralising Europa League final defeat to Spurs.

Form may well fluctuate further as we approach the January transfer window – so who could United target to boost their playing squad? Here, we have outlined 8 potential candidates should Sir Jim Ratcliffe sanction another spending spree.

Centre-back could well be a position Amorim opts to replenish in the near future, with Lisandro Martinez’s long-term injury layoff particularly affecting the depth in that area.

And someone who will be by no means short of offers is Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. Eagles boss Oliver Glasner has already indicated that the centre-back’s current contract will be his last amid his failed move to Liverpool in the summer.

While that suggests a summer move could be more likely, Man Utd may be minded to lay some foundations before the new year given the number of teams thought to be interested in Guehi’s services, including Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Jarrad Branthwaite has been a long-term United transfer target in the past, though a new contract and the defender’s fitness issues put to bed any hopes of the Red Devils reigniting their interest in the summer.

However, in the event that the Everton centre-back recovers from surgery in time to feature before January, he may have an opportunity to put himself in the proverbial shop window.

Branthwaite will cost more than Guehi would if United are not prepared to wait until the summer, but if he is able to stay fit, he could yet contribute to United’s quest to return to European football.

Part of Ruben Amorim’s tactical identity at Old Trafford has been the use of wing-backs. With Luke Shaw playing in a back three so far this season, Diogo Dalot has been preferred to Patrick Dorgu on the left-hand side.

This may well prompt Amorim to seek a more bonafide option, with Inter full-back Federico Dimarco a potential candidate, having often played on the left of a back/midfield five at the San Siro.

Reports have claimed that United are preparing a bid for the two-time Champions League finalist, though the idea he’d trade another Serie A title bid for a role in United’s rebuild may make a successful approach seem unlikely.

Carlos Baleba was arguably the biggest deal that didn’t happen in the summer, with Brighton standing their ground amid demands of a £100m transfer fee.

The Cameroonian has been another gem of a find from Brighton’s scouting department, signing from Lille in 2023 as a teenager.

Now an experienced Premier League midfielder who will turn 22 in early January, he remains a fine long-term option for many European sides, with United reportedly staying in the hunt for his signature.

Given that Kobbie Mainoo has not been given many opportunities in the early part of 2025/26, it stands to reason that Amorim is not yet happy with the midfielders at his disposal, and therefore may act accordingly when the window opens.

A more cost-effective option in defensive midfield for United could be ex-Wolves star Ruben Neves, who hasn’t played in the Premier League since leaving for Al-Hilal in 2023.

A new defensive midfielder could be on the cards for Manchester United, as they may consider their relatively threadbare midfield to be in need of replenishment.

While Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro are regulars, the latter is heading towards the end of his career at the top level, while Mason Mount has been in and out of the team through injury.

It would therefore be no surprise if Amorim wants to freshen up his midfield with a more reliable option, and Neves has been among those linked since the closing of the transfer window.

If prising Ruben Neves away from Saudi Arabia proves too tricky, another top-level talent who could be considered is Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller.

Reporter Fabrizio Romano has claimed that United have been tracking the Germany international for some time, so an approach would not exactly be out of the blue.

However, a January transfer is thought to be a less feasible option as it stands, while winning the race to get him out of Stuttgart will not come cheap.

Elliot Anderson’s stock has been steadily rising in recent months, particularly since his debut for England in September 2025.

But although he is a key part of a Nottingham Forest side competing in the Europa League, a prestige move to Manchester United may still be of interest, particularly as the Red Devils aim to secure a path back to Europe at the first attempt.

The tumultuous campaign at the City Ground thus far could also be a factor in any move between January and the summer, so if things fail to improve, United could do worse than act on their interest and pick up one of the league’s most exciting stars.

The uncertainty over Nottingham Forest’s campaign means players who shone for them in 2024/25 when they claimed a shock European place could use it as a reason to jump ship.

Alongside Anderson, one of those could be Callum Hudson-Odoi. Having let go of Antony and sent Marcus Rashford out on loan, United aren’t exactly stacked with wingers, though Amorim did bolster his frontline considerably last summer, so they may be more likely to prioritise elsewhere.

However, Hudson-Odoi was reportedly on their radar back in May, which may suggest he fits the profile that Amorim would be after if he decides to act early in this position.