Manchester United will look to get their January transfer business started early, as the Red Devils aim to plus gaps in their squad in their pursuit of a Champions League spot.
Ruben Amorim’s side sit on the brink of their goal in seventh place in the Premier League, just three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, despite only winning twice in their last eight matches. Several disappointing draws during that time have shown that United are not far off where they want to be, with just a couple of tweaks needed.
One of those has been Amorim’s increasing willingness to adapt his formation in-game, with key arrivals in the winter window offering the possibility of becoming the final piece in the jigsaw which could see the Red Devils secure a return to Europe’s elite earlier than anticipated.
They will need to act smartly and quickly in January, though, and one transfer target stands out as a move they should look to get done as quickly as possible when the window opens.
Man United should act fast to secure Conor Gallagher deal
A recent injury to Bruno Fernandes has given Amorim a new headache in midfield, and the availability of Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher could prove crucial as the Portuguese looks to add quality and depth to a relatively weak-looking central midfield area at present.
The likes of Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton are believed to be prime targets in the middle of the park, but a move for any of the trio would be highly complicated mid-season and could demand a premium fee. The truth is that United likely need to sign two midfielders in 2026, and so a cheaper move for England international Gallagher could allow for the Red Devils to go big on a young midfield talent next summer.
Gallagher showed his blend of leadership, energy in midfield and technical quality as he rose to a ‘senior’ role within a youthful squad at former club Chelsea, before departing for Madrid in summer 2024 as the Blues targeted a sale with pure profit for their academy graduate. Despite impressive performances for stretches of his first campaign for Atletico, the 25-year-old has found himself amongst the substitutes for much of this term and his future has, therefore, come into doubt in the Spanish capital.
United hold a historical interest and this has resurfaced in recent days, with the likes of talkSPORT reporting that Gallagher is within their midfield shortlist and is viewed as a more achievable mid-season signing. Atletico are said to value the midfielder at £35 million and view a permanent sale as preferable as opposed to a loan.
Why Gallagher would be perfect early-window signing for United
Despite the fanfare surrounding a £65m transfer battle for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, the midfield area must be United’s primary cause for concern and an early deal for Gallagher would allow the Red Devils to put their full focus into Semenyo or other attacking targets thereafter.
With Fernandes injured and often linked with a future move away, Casemiro out of contract at the end of the season and neither of Kobbie Mainoo or Manuel Ugarte believed to be viewed as the long-term solution by Amorim, Gallagher could step in and become an important player at Old Trafford. His tenacity and legs in the middle of the park have often been lacking at the club and while he would not offer the creativity of a Fernandes, he would lessen the burden on Casemiro from a defensive standpoint.
In the long term, the addition of Gallagher, plus a player such as Wharton or Baleba – likely next summer or potentially later in the January window if they become available – could see the Red Devils usher in a new era with a new, combative but also creative midfield duo. Gallagher might be viewed by some as a less glamorous signing, but he could be just the man needed to get the ball rolling and see United return to where they want to be.
