Manchester United And Crystal Palace Face Turbulent January Shakeup

It’s been a whirlwind January in the Premier League, with Manchester United and Crystal Palace right at the heart of the action. The transfer window has brought drama, departures, and plenty of speculation, leaving fans of both clubs on the edge of their seats as the season barrels toward its climax.

Manchester United, never far from the headlines, have seen major changes both on and off the pitch in recent weeks. Following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim on January 6, 2026, the club appointed Michael Carrick as interim manager—a move that’s sparked both nostalgia and cautious optimism among supporters. Carrick, a beloved former midfielder, steps into the hot seat with the club in a transitional phase, hoping to steady the ship and maybe, just maybe, stake his own claim for the job on a permanent basis. As David Ornstein told the Transfers Podcast, "Carrick will naturally enter the conversation depending on how well he does. But I don’t think this is binary, as it was with Ole Gunner Solskjaer. United should run their process properly: speak to available coaches, assess those in work where permitted, look at data, styles and profiles."

The managerial merry-go-round isn’t the only story at Old Trafford. The club confirmed this week that midfield stalwart Casemiro will leave at the end of the season, with Carrick revealing that the decision was made "before I arrived so it’s not just a knee-jerk kind of decision." The Brazilian’s exit marks the end of an era in United’s midfield, and Carrick was quick to praise his professionalism: "The type of personality, the character that he is, I think it shows with his performance last week, where he is mentally and how much it means for him to be here and to finish this season strong. I’ve already had that conversation with him and he’s desperate to do well and finish well. It’s good to see, so I’ve got no doubt about him at all."

As United look to the future, attention has turned to the summer transfer window and the club’s evolving recruitment strategy. Sporting director Jason Wilcox is expected to play a pivotal role, with Ornstein noting, "He’s cutting his teeth at the very highest level, while other sporting directors at clubs like United have been doing this for years and their work speaks for itself. That connection is absolutely critical, and it has to be tight." United’s focus is reportedly on strengthening their midfield, with names like Elliott Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and Adam Wharton on the shortlist. Ornstein added, "Competition is fiercer than ever, and others are tipping the balance. It will be down to Wilcox, Berrada and the hierarchy, along with the recruitment team, to assert United’s authority again, whether through football, finance or both."

But United’s transfer dealings haven’t just been about arrivals and departures—they’ve also been about the ones that got away. According to Crystal Palace legend Clinton Morrison, Ruben Amorim was "big-time interested" in signing Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta during the January window. However, United’s big summer spending on Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha meant there was little appetite for another major outlay. Morrison explained, "I do think Manchester United were interested in him, Ruben Amorim was big-time interested in him. But I just don’t think United could have done it there and then because they spent a lot of money in the summer bringing in Sesko, Mbeumo and Cunha." Amorim’s sacking on January 6 swiftly ended any further pursuit.

Mateta’s own situation has become one of the transfer window’s most intriguing subplots. The French striker, who netted 17 times during the 2024-25 season and played a starring role in Palace’s FA Cup triumph, has made it clear he wants to leave Selhurst Park. Aston Villa and Juventus are circling, but Palace have slapped a £35 million price tag on their prized asset, who still has 18 months left on his contract. Morrison, speaking to Metro via Free Bets, was candid about the timing: "The timing of Mateta trying to leave is all wrong. It is disappointing, I know JP and he is a good guy who just wants to do well and be successful. But he should have waited until the summer to get his move. I know what the chairman Steve Parish is like, unless it’s the right price, he is not letting him go."

Palace’s January woes haven’t stopped with Mateta. The club has already seen Marc Guehi depart for Manchester City in what Ornstein described as a "magnificent deal." Arsenal and Liverpool were both in the race, but City’s offer proved decisive. Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who will leave at the end of the season, reportedly reacted angrily to the sale. Ornstein commented, "Players consistently lavished him with praise for his tactical acumen, man-management, and emotional intelligence. You could imagine him staying at Palace for years. His departure speaks to his ambition to manage in the Champions League and at the very top level, opportunities that Palace cannot currently offer."

The managerial situation at Palace is, if anything, even more uncertain than at United. Glasner’s departure will leave a significant void, and Morrison reflected on the club’s history of weathering such storms: "It’s bleak for Palace, but we’ve been here before. Unless a billionaire comes into the club this is just the way it goes, it’s the same with Glasner’s situation. You do well and you move on and unfortunately that’s the way it goes." As for the next man in the dugout, speculation is rife, with names like Gareth Southgate floated but no clear favorite emerging. Morrison observed, "There are loads of managers who will be on the move then - the chairman will be doing his work right now sounding out possibilities."

Meanwhile, Aston Villa are making waves of their own in the striker market, reportedly targeting PSG’s Goncalo Ramos as the window ticks down. Ramos, despite being PSG’s top scorer this season, is open to a Premier League switch, and Villa are eager to bolster their attacking options. With Mateta also in their sights, Villa’s pursuit adds another layer of intrigue to a frenetic transfer period.

Back at United, the coming months will be crucial. Carrick’s interim spell is as much an audition as it is a stewardship, with Ornstein noting, "Carrick could play himself into contention, or he might decide it’s not the right moment. There’s nothing firm right now. It’s hypothetical. But given his qualities, what he showed in his brief United spell before, and his work at Middlesbrough, there’s no reason he shouldn’t at least be in the conversation." The board’s decision will hinge on results, performances, and the broader vision for the club’s future.

As January draws to a close, both Manchester United and Crystal Palace face uncertain paths forward. With key players set to leave, managerial changes looming, and the transfer market as competitive as ever, the only guarantee is more drama ahead. For supporters, it’s a familiar feeling—hope, anxiety, and the anticipation of what the next chapter will bring.