Keep, Dump or Extend: What transfers should Man United make in January?

"The January transfer window opens this Thursday, and with it comes a month-long midseason dash for teams up and down the league table. For elite teams, it's a chance to reinforce in the push for a trophy -- or multiple. For teams looking to escape relegation, it's an opportunity to bring in the kind of players that can finish the job."

"With some big teams in very different situations heading into the winter window, Mark Ogden and Gab Marcotti have dusted off their sporting director hats and Keep or Dump concept to look at the basic decisions these clubs need to make on all fronts, from acquisitions and exits to contract renewals. - O'Hanlon: How much is each position in soccer worth? -Ian Darke's Best PL XI of the season so far -Hamilton: Why so many young PL players are going overseas - League position on Dec. 29: Sixth, 29 points (Last year: 15th, 42 points)- Realistic goal for 2025-26: Champions League qualification and performance improvements"

"1. Assess the team's growth under Ruben Amorim and whether you want to make a change Marcotti: "He's under contract until June 2027, but clubs generally don't keep coaches with expiring deals so really they're going to have to decide whether to extend him. And they'll probably want to do it by March to give themselves the best possible chance of finding a worthy successor.""

The January transfer window opens this Thursday, providing a month-long midseason opportunity for clubs to reinforce squads or address weaknesses. Elite teams can add reinforcements to bolster trophy pushes while relegation-threatened sides can recruit players to secure safety. Players nearing contract expirations in summer 2026 or 2027 create urgency for clubs to negotiate extensions or risk losing them on free transfers. A Keep-or-Dump evaluation framework focuses on acquisitions, exits, and contract renewals. One club sits sixth with 29 points and targets Champions League qualification. Ruben Amorim remains under contract to June 2027 but faces evaluation and potential extension decisions by March.

Read at ESPN.com