Manchester United transfer news as the January transfer window could see United return to the transfer market
The number nine shirt at Manchester United is currently available(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
Manchester United were busy in the summer transfer window with over £215million spent on four players. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens were all brought in after the club’s worst season in 51 years.
Ruben Amorim’s side were active in the transfer market until the last minute with Lammens arriving on deadline day. Up until the closure of the window, the possibility of a midfielder coming in remained a realistic opportunity.
Despite the business that was completed, United have taken their time to switch on in the 2025/26 season. After losing to Arsenal on the opening day, the Reds drew to Fulham and narrowly beat Burnley.
Mbeumo is the only one of the three new attackers to get on the scoresheet for United with Cunha suffering an injury last week and Sesko yet to start in the Premier League. Yet with Rasmus Hojlund returning to Italy on loan with Napoli, there is scope for a new centre-forward to compete with Sesko.
And should United decide to dip back into the market for a new striker in January, they have the perfect squad number. Following Hojlund’s exit, the famous No.9 is free and waiting for a new owner.
Big names such as Andy Cole, Dimitar Berbatov, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku have all worn the No.9 shirt in the past. Of course, there is the possibility that United wait until the summer to fill the spot.
No.14 – previously worn by Christian Eriksen, Jesse Lingard and Chicharito – is currently available alongside No.17 after Alejandro Garnacho’s move to Chelsea. No.20 has been left vacant after Diogo Dalot switched to No.2 and No.21 is also open.
No.27, No.28, No.29, No.34, No.36 and No.39 are all numbers previously worn by first-team players that are yet to be picked up.
In the summer, Casemiro, Tom Heaton and Tyrell Malacia could all leave the club at the expiry of their current contracts. That would free up No.18, No.22 and No.12.
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