Manchester United fans were gutted to miss out on one big-money transfer signing, but it ended up having an overall positive effect.
The January transfer window has ended without Manchester United making any major signings, but that didn’t mean that the Red Devils didn’t have targets of their own.
At the start of the month, Ruben Amorim was the head coach of United and Ineos were planning for the future under the Portuguese.
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Michael Carrick and Ruben Amorim as Man Utd managers
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In order to implement his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim wanted specialist signings that fit his system. Instead, he was sacked and Michael Carrick has had huge success switching back to a 4-2-3-1 shape.
But under Amorim, United were interested in Antoine Semenyo, only to miss out to rivals Manchester City.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesAntoine Semenyo snub positively changed Man United
Once it became public knowledge that Semenyo had a £65m release clause in January, United immediately threw their name in the hat.
It became a two-horse race between the Manchester clubs, but Semenyo snubbed United for City.
Amorim was a huge admirer of Semenyo and reports suggest he wanted him as a winger rather than as a wing-back, but still the 26-year-old chose a move to the Etihad Stadium.
At the time, United fans were fuming to miss out on Semenyo, but the whole transfer saga has actually worked out brilliantly for the Red Devils.
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Amorim was denied another January signing, and just days after Semenyo’s decision, he was sacked and replaced by Carrick until the end of the season.
Since then, United have won three on the bounce and look like strong contenders for Champions League qualification.
Man United have retained transfer budget for summer 2026
Not signing Semenyo eventually resulted in Amorim being sacked and Carrick taking the reins at Old Trafford. After three matches under Carrick, there can be no complaints from supporters.
But missing out on Semenyo has also set up United for a much stronger summer window at the end of the season.
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Ineos still insist that Carrick’s stint is only temporary, so a permanent appointment is expected in the summer.
The top priority will be to overhaul the midfield with one or maybe even two high-profile signings. By saving the £65m that would have been spent on Semenyo, United stand a good chance of competing for the likes of Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton.
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