Rashford sold, three players in - Manchester United lineup after dream January transfer window

Manchester United are not expecting a busy January transfer window, but that doesn't mean fans can't dream of one.

Ruben Amorim has already reiterated business will be at a premium in the forthcoming month, with United effectively having no transfer budget to begin with. It means the only way United will be able to strengthen their squad immediately will be through short-term loan deals and free agents, though they could significantly boost their budget if they manage to sell some players to release those funds.

Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen could both be sold as they enter the final six months of their respective deals at the club, while there is an added incentive to sell wantaway striker Marcus Rashford due to the fact he is a homegrown player, meaning any fee received would count as pure profit on the balance sheets.

Amorim is understood to want a left-wing-back during the January window and there is also a desire to add another forward option to his squad in the shape of either another striker or an attacking midfielder. If they are unable to raise funds through player sales, then a loan move for Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell could hold some appeal, though he is better suited to a full-back role than a wing-back one. If United managed to sell a high-value player like Rashford though, they could have some significant money to reinvest, with the likes of Fulham full-back Antonee Robinson and Bournemouth ace Milos Kerkez sure to be of interest to the club.

In attack, Viktor Gyokeres would be the dream addition, though there is no way he will move to Old Trafford in January due to his huge price tag, the fact Sporting doesn’t want to sell him midway through a season, and the harsh reality he would have more appealing options available to him as well. A loan move for PSG flop Randal Kolo Muani could appeal to United if the finances of a deal are right, while they could also reinvest any funds in a deal to sign Southampton starlet Tyler Dibling, though they are perhaps in greater need of a more immediate improvement to their squad.

United XI after dream January transfer window: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Amad, Ugarte, Fernandes, Robinson (permanent) Garnacho, Dibling (permanent), Kolo Muani (loan).