Man Utd chief gives January transfer warning as he makes Everton reference

John Murtough has warned Manchester United fans not to expect any major transfer activity in January due Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions.

The club’s football director was speaking at United’s fans’ forum last week and told those on the call that January is not ‘optimal time’ to complete transfer business.

ManchesterWorld reported last week that the ongoing takeover process and the lack of financial wiggle room makes major arrivals almost impossible next month, although loan deals look much more feasible for the club. Murtough also pointed to the FFP rules having ‘real teeth’, a reference to the 10 points Everton were docked last month for breaching the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

“Looking ahead to the January transfer window, we are not expecting it to be particularly busy,” said Murtough, who for now looks set to remain part of the United hierarchy after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s partial takeover.

“There will always be the possibility of deals around the edges of the squad, particularly in terms of finding opportunities for players who are not playing as much football as they would like.

“However, we’ve always been consistent in saying that we do not see January as the optimal time to do business and our recruitment strategy remains focused on summer windows.”

"We’ve seen this season that Financial Fair Play rules have real teeth, so we have to be very careful to ensure that we remain compliant, and we will. But that means being really disciplined on spending going forward, with a balance between incomings and outgoings."

United did receive a fine of €300,000 (£257,000) from Uefa in July for a ‘minor breakeven deficit’ under FFP rules, and this will be the third transfer window in a row that budgets have been tightened. The last winter market saw United complete loan moves for Jack Butland, Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst, as they couldn't sanction any significant spending.