Erik ten Hag hints Manchester United could be active before January window closes

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has refused to rule out his club making new signings before the January transfer window closes for business.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's arrival as a minority shareholder at Old Trafford is not expected to be ratified until the start of February, so the 71-year-old will not have a major impact on the club's plans for the winter market, although he must be kept informed of any developments that are occurring on that front.

Man United are currently focusing on outgoings, with Donny van de Beek's loan switch to Eintracht Frankfurt already being confirmed, while Jadon Sancho and Hannibal Mejbri are also set to depart on short-term deals.

Sancho is expected to return to Borussia Dortmund for the second half of the campaign, while Everton and Sevilla are seemingly going head-to-head for the loan signature of Hannibal.

There is also currently speculation surrounding Facundo Pellistri, Dan Gore, Anthony Martial and Joe Hugill, with all four players potentially leaving the Red Devils before the end of the transfer window.

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Man United are working to a strict budget due to the rules surrounding Financial Fair Play, but it is believed that a number of exits before the end of the month would put the club in a position to make at least one signing.

The squad will soon be boosted by the returns of a number of players from injury, with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw both potentially back against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

However, Ten Hag recently said that Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez could be "weeks" away from actually returning to the field, while Mason Mount also faces a battle to be back before the end of the month.

Man United have largely struggled to score goals this season, with Scott McTominay their leading goalscorer in the Premier League in 2023-24 with five.

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Marcus Rashford only has three in the league this term, which is the same as Alejandro Garnacho, while Rasmus Hojlund scored his first goal in England's top flight against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

The Red Devils are believed to be considering the forward market, and Ten Hag has refused to rule out at least one player moving to Old Trafford before the window closes.

"We consider everything, so what is the best interests of the player and what is the best interest of us, for our team and for Manchester United," Ten Hag told reporters following Monday's 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup. "We will see how it progresses during the window."

Raphael Varane and Casemiro have both been linked with exits this month, but it is understood that neither will be allowed to depart before the end of the January window.