Manchester United had a busy January, with three different managers taking charge of their fixtures while the club did business in the transfer market right up until deadline day
19:05, 02 Feb 2026Updated 22:57, 02 Feb 2026
Manchester United appointed Michael Carrick in January(Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
January was a busy month for Manchester United – just not when it came to new signings. The Red Devils failed to make a single addition to their squad, but Old Trafford chiefs did sanction plenty of departures.
United’s priority during the transfer window was, of course, their managerial situation. After sacking Ruben Amorim on January 5, the club appointed Darren Fletcher on an interim basis.
Fletcher took charge of two games before Michael Carrick was given the job until the end of the season. Carrick has started like a house on fire; winning his first three games against Manchester City, Arsenal and most recently, Fulham.
But United’s focus on the dugout didn’t them from doing business. Here, Mirror Football runs through every done deal at Old Trafford.
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On January 17, United announced that Sam Mather had signed for top-flight Turkish side Kayserispor. Mather, 21, had been at the club since the age of seven and won the FA Youth Cup in 2022.
The forward also had loan spells with Rochdale and Tranmere Rovers, and has now joined Kayserispor on a permanent basis. Although United didn’t earn a fee, they’ll receive 20 per cent of any future sale.
Next to leave was Joe Hugill. Also a member of United’s Youth Cup-winning squad, the striker has signed for Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock for an undisclosed fee.
Hugill joined United from Sunderland in 2020. The 22-year-old had loan spells with Burton Albion, Wigan Athletic, Carlisle United and Barnet.
Should Manchester United have signed anyone in January? Have your say in the comments section.
Joe Hugill has left Manchester United to join Kilmarnock(Image: Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Finally, Rhys Bennett was sold to Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee. Bennett, 22, spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Fleetwood and made 35 first-team appearances.
Having joined United at under-10 level, the centre-back lifted the Youth Cup as captain. Bennett, whose dad tragically committed suicide last year, had also spent time on loan with Stockport County.
Loaned
As for loan deals, Harry Amass joined Norwich City for the rest of the season before suffering a ‘serious’ injury in training. Left-back Amass was previously on loan at fellow Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday.
Toby Collyer also changed clubs in the second tier. Following an injury, midfielder Collyer returned from his spell with West Bromwich Albion to join Hull City for the remainder of the campaign.
Ethan Wheatley, meanwhile, joined Bradford City on a six-month loan. Wheatley, a striker, was previously on loan at Northampton Town, who also play in League One.
Tyrell Malacia was blocked from signing for Besiktas on loan(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
And one minute before the deadline, it was confirmed that James Scanlon has joined Swindon Town on loan. Midfielder Scanlon will get his first taste of senior football in League Two.
Later on Monday, Jacob Devaney departed. St Mirren have signed the midfielder, with Devaney also embarking on his first loan.
There was almost a sixth loan in the form of Tyrell Malacia. The Dutch defender was about to board a plane to Turkey ahead of signing for Besiktas, but United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, stepped in to block his departure following injuries to fellow left-backs Patrick Dorgu and Amass.
SOLD: Sam Mather (Kayserispor, free), Joe Hugill (Kilmarnock, undisclosed), Rhys Bennett (Fleetwood Town, undisclosed)
LOANED: Harry Amass (Norwich City), Toby Collyer (Hull City), Ethan Wheatley (Bradford City), James Scanlon (Swindon)
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