Manchester United are going to have an unusual January of 2024. Unlike previous seasons, when matches were coming thick and fast, this year things are quite different. The Red Devils currently have only two fixtures scheduled for this month, with potential for that to rise to three.
Due to the winter break they will have on the weekend of 20/21 January and the fact this year they are not playing the League Cup semifinals, which is a double-header, Erik Ten Hag will have plenty of time with his players to work things on the training ground.
First Up – The FA Cup
Man United’s first match in 2024 comes on 8 January against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium. It will be a short trip for the Red Devils in what is to be a third round match of the new FA Cup campaign. Wigan are currently 17th in the League One, so it is clear United will be huge favourites to reach the fourth round without too much hassle.
The Only Premier League Match
United’s only Premier League match of January will bea gainst Tottenham Hotspur on the 14th, which will be a late afternoon kick-off at Old Trafford. This could be a pivotal match for Ten Hag’s team, because three points could get them much closer to the fifht-placed Spurs. This is particularly important because there are growing chances that the fifth place will also be enough to qualify for Champions League, considering the new, revamped competition from the 2024/25 onwards.
What About The Third Match?
Man United will play their third match in January if they beat Wigan, as the FA Cup fourth round matches are to be played on the weekend of 27/28 January. In fact, United were so close to play another match this month because the following Premier League midweek matches start on 30 January. However, in that set of fixtures, United are set to play on 1 February against Wolverhampton Wanderers away from home.
While You Are Here – Reguilon And Sancho News
Some important information while you are here, that we should not miss out on. Man United have activated the break clause in Sergio Reguilon’s loan deal, which means the Spaniard is set to return to his parent club, Tottenham. The Athletic broke the story of the club and the player making a mutual decision, as it became clear he was not going to get enough chances in Erik Ten Hag’s team. Reguilon wants to play regular football and now it looks like he could be going out on another loan, because it seems that he will not be playing at Spurs either. He made a total of 12 appearances for Manchester United.
Also, the news are coming out of Germany that Borussia Dortmund are indeed interested in Jadon Sancho, but only on a loan deal. The Englishman has been long ostracised from the first team activities and Dortmund are ready to bet on him, but only on a loan deal. It is also reported that it remains to be seen what proportion of salary Borussia Dortmund are willing to cover for Sancho’s loan as the talks are ongoing.