The transfer window shutting does not mean the end of transfer opportunities for Manchester United and Manchester City with both clubs able to remain alert to other possibilities
Manchester United academy graduate Jesse Lingard is a free agent (Image: Sky Sports)
The transfer window is at its end, following a quiet deadline day of transfers for Manchester City and Manchester United. Premier League clubs will have to wait until the summer to splash the cash once again to improve their squads.
Pep Guardiola added two new stars to his collection in Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo in a bid to reinvigorate City’s title push with an £84million spend. The likes of Oscar Bobb and Stefan Ortega went through the exit door to recoup some funds, while Jaden Heskey, Claudio Echeverri and Stephen Mfuni, among others, went on loan.
There was an emphasis on exits at Old Trafford too. With just one competition to compete in, Michael Carrick has seen no new signings to boost his options until the end of the season.
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Sam Mather, Joe Hugill and Rhys Bennett have all made permanent exits, while figures including Harry Amass, Toby Collyer and Ethan Wheatley have gone on loan in the Football League.
Both clubs might have their doors closed, but if an emergency strikes, they could dip into the market again. Only for available free agents who could help their cause, however.
We take a look at some options that Manchester’s sides could consider.
Raheem Sterling is perhaps the most prominent name available for free after he parted ways with Chelsea earlier this month. The winger is reported to be open to a move outside of London, having previously seen that as a limitation after returning home when he departed Manchester City in 2022.
It’s difficult to see a move being forthcoming unless City want him to take a role tutoring their young players, given what he achieved at the Etihad under Guardiola.
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Allan Saint-Maximin is another free agent with Premier League experience. Neither club is likely to want a new winger, but the Frenchman is available, having left Club America by mutual consent after claiming that his children were the victims of racist abuse.
Countryman Kurt Zouma is also available, but it would maybe take some desperation and for City’s defensive injury crisis to spiral out of control to see any movement. Former Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund sharpshooter Paco Alcacer is a free agent too if United want some experience to tutor the likes of Benjamin Sesko.
Jesse Lingard is perhaps a more plausible move to join Carrick’s side. United have shown a tendency to utilise experienced heads in Tom Huddlestone and Jonny Evans in their youth set-up, and perhaps Lingard could take on that role if he made a return.
Few names will bring as much significance as James Rodriguez, who last played for Leon. A return to the Premier League seems unlikely but he is currently training alone with a World Cup to prepare for.
It may be the moment to see how much Guardiola truly rated Nathan Redmond in his time at Southampton. Again, the winger would be more suited to a mentorship role, but if he’s interested in coaching, perhaps an opportunity is there.
Craig Dawson is another figure who would seem well-suited to helping youth players at either club given his vast Premier League experience.
But perhaps Sergio Ramos could offer more experience than anyone else if he could overcome his former rivalry with Guardiola. The central defender, 39, last played for Monterrey and has even been linked with a move to AC Milan.
Aaron Ramsey is also without a club after leaving Mexican side Pumas. The Welshman will likely want to challenge for a spot at the World Cup, but having managed Cardiff on an interim basis less than 12 months ago could perhaps be coaxed into a player-coach role.
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