Michael Carrick picks out the first January signing after Man Utd’s tough start to the season
Manchester United have reportedly chosen their main January transfer target after a challenging start to the 2026/27 season – but they will face competition from Liverpool.
As the three-week international break begins, fans are worried about how Carrick’s team has started the season. United have only won one of their first five Premier League games – that win was against newly promoted Ipswich Town – and they currently sit 12th in the league.
Some positions are causing concern, especially left-back and central midfield. Recently, Carrick has played Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans together in midfield, though new signing Carlos Baleba is expected to start when the league returns.
At left-back, 31-year-old Luke Shaw has faced criticism, and neither Leny Yoro nor Noussair Mazraoui seem ready to hold the spot every week at a high level. Because of this, United are looking for other options.
TeamTalk reports that Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell is gaining interest from Manchester United and also from Liverpool, who have their own left-back problems to solve in the winter window. Mitchell, 27, helped Palace win the 2025 FA Cup and the 2026 Conference League and was a reliable player under former manager Oliver Glasner. He’s well-liked by Palace fans.
Mitchell’s contract with Palace ends next summer, giving United hope they could sign him for a good price. The England international, who earned two caps in 2022 under Gareth Southgate, has made 252 appearances for Palace, scoring eight goals and assisting 18 times.
Palace want to keep Mitchell and are trying to get him to sign a new deal. Mitchell has also been linked with Chelsea, but would be a cheaper choice than their previous target, Lewis Hall. Hall recently signed a new contract with Newcastle until 2031.
Hall spoke to Chronicle Live about the links to United, saying the rumors show he is “doing something right.” He added, “It’s just a credit to your own performances and how you are as a player, how you are as a person.”
He continued, “I took that as a positive, but I knew how much I love playing here and since the new manager arrived, I saw the ambitions and goals we have. After just a few talks and training sessions, I knew the manager was right for this club, and bringing in new players to improve the squad was important. Once we did that, it was an easy decision to sign.”