Manchester United reveal January transfer window restrictions

Manchester United's Chief Operating Officer revealed the club’s Financial Fair Play issues are bigger than most fans expected. 

Manchester United executives recently spoke to fans at a fan forum in Manchester to discuss the state of the club, the pending investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and other issues. One of those other issues that came up was whether there will be any new signings in the January transfer window.   
 
The club’s Chief Operating Officer Collette Roche shot down the idea that there would be new signings and revealed that Manchester United are close to running afoul of the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.  

C.O.O. reveals FFP concerns

Collette Roche, Manchester United C.O.O., spoke at length about the club’s January transfer plans. To sum up her comments, Man Utd fans should not expect much from the club in January.  
 
“We are not expecting [the January transfer window] to be particularly busy,” Roche revealed to Manchester United fans at the club’s latest fan forum event. 
 
“There will always be the possibility of deals around the edges of the squad, particularly in terms of finding opportunities for players who are not playing as much football as they would like.  
 
“However, we have always been consistent in saying that we do not see January as the optimal time to do business and our recruitment strategy remains focused on summer windows.” 
 
Roche concluded her comments by revealing that FFP concerns are one of the major reasons Manchester United will likely not be spending big in January.  
 
“We have seen this season that Financial Fair Play rules have real teeth, so we have to be very careful to ensure we remain compliant, and we will,” Roche explained before adding that the club will have to be really disciplined on spending going forward.  
 
Roche specifically stated that Manchester United will have to start taking actions with a greater consideration for the “balance between incomings and outgoings.” 

Bad news for Erik ten Hag

Like most Premier League managers, Erik ten Hag has called for new signings in the January transfer window. The club had been linked to Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco, and numerous other high-profile names. If Roche’s comments are to be believed, Ten Hag and Man Utd won't be getting any of these players.  
 
In fact, the Red Devils appear to be looking to trim the squad. Donny van de Beek has reportedly agreed to join Eintracht Frankfurt. Sergio Reguilón has also been linked to a German side with some reports claiming Borussia Dortmund may come in for him in January.  
Jadon Sancho also is a name who could be leaving the club in January. The 23-year-old has been exiled from the club since August. With no resolution to this conflict in sight, Sancho’s exit seems likely.  

The betting sites have Sancho’s most likely next destination as any Saudi Arabian club. However, most reports link him with a move back to Germany. Dortmund seems like the most likely destination back in the Bundesliga, but RB Leipzig have also been mentioned.