Manchester United's Quiet 14-Transfer Window Takes Shape, Though One Deal Looks Decidedly Tricky

If you've written off Manchester United's January business as a complete wash, you've fallen for the oldest trick in the book. While the Red Devils may have kept a low profile in the headlines, there's been considerably more happening at Old Trafford than meets the eye.

The conventional wisdom suggests nothing materialised. Transfermarkt's records show Harry Amass, Toby Collyer, and Ethan Wheatley simply moved from one loan arrangement to another within the Championship and League One. Hardly the stuff of dramatic headlines.

Yet scratch the surface and you'll discover nine transfers have actually been processed—though admittedly, not all crossed the finish line before the deadline slammed shut. Whether you could name more than three of the players involved is another question entirely. The reality is that most have been youth-level movements, hardly the stuff to set supporters' hearts racing.

The intriguing part? United aren't finished yet. Reports suggest they could still complete a 14th piece of business despite the transfer window closing. Theoretically, clubs can register free agents outside the official window, and Manchester United's name keeps cropping up in these discussions.

The rumour mill has been particularly creative. Raheem Sterling's name surfaces regularly, with talk of him providing "muscle" to the attack. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gets mentioned because, well, he knows English football. Then there's Paco Alcacer, supposedly earmarked as backup to Benjamin Sesko—a player who is himself a backup, and one who hasn't featured competitively in over a year.

But here's where things get genuinely interesting: Divock Origi. The Express has suggested his arrival could happen, but with a rather significant caveat. Despite not having kicked a ball professionally in nearly two years, Origi's "strong connection to Liverpool" apparently makes this deal "much more difficult to pull off."

One has to wonder whether a player who's been sidelined for that long would genuinely turn down a Premier League opportunity at United simply based on sentimental attachment to their Merseyside rivals. It's the sort of logic that doesn't quite withstand scrutiny.

Liverpool, meanwhile, could theoretically pursue four free agents if needed, though their options look similarly uninspiring. Origi gets mentioned as an option "if urgent attacking reinforcements were required"—which is precisely when you wouldn't want someone who hasn't played in two years. Serge Aurier is floated as a potential defensive addition, though one suspects they might simply recall Dominik Szoboszlai to the position after their impressive 4-1 demolition of Newcastle.

Arsenal, too, find themselves linked with free-agent possibilities, particularly regarding midfield cover following Mikel Merino's injury. Jesse Lingard's name has emerged, though that particular suggestion feels rather desperate.

The pattern is unmistakable: the three clubs with the largest fanbases get the most column inches regarding free-agent opportunities. Whether they actually need them is rather beside the point.