Manchester United are preparing for a crucial January transfer window as they continue searching for the consistency that has been missing under Ruben Amorim.
Their most recent performance offered another reminder of their unpredictable form, with a 1-1 draw at home to West Ham leaving fans frustrated yet again.
United looked set for all three points after Diogo Dalot found the net in the second half, but a late equaliser from Soungoutou Magassa forced them to settle for a point at Old Trafford. It was another night where United showed promise in spells but lacked the control and conviction needed to see the game out.
Fourteen matches into the Premier League season, United sit 8th in the table and are still struggling to find any real rhythm. There is plenty of time to improve, but performances have been too inconsistent, and key players have not been able to deliver regularly.
Amorim’s team will now travel to Molineux to face Wolves, who remain bottom of the league and without a win, offering United a chance to respond. Even so, the focus continues to shift toward January, where major decisions may need to be made to spark their season into life.
Among the growing discussions around Old Trafford is the possibility of a swap deal involving Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento. Football Insider claim United are exploring a move for the 23-year-old full-back, whose rise in the Premier League has caught the attention of several top sides.
Arsenal are also believed to be monitoring him as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his squad for a title battle with Manchester City.
Livramento’s career has moved quickly since his early days in Chelsea’s academy. His switch to Southampton in 2021 allowed him to step into Premier League football at a young age, and he made 34 senior appearances before Newcastle made their move.
The Magpies signed him for an initial £32 million, and since then he has become an important part of Eddie Howe’s squad. With more than 90 appearances already for Newcastle and 12 so far this season, he has shown maturity, versatility, and the pace and composure needed at the top level. He is also an England international with three caps, which only adds to his value.
His strong development means Newcastle will not part with him easily, yet interest from United and Arsenal could make January an uncomfortable month for Howe.
Newcastle are ambitious, but injuries and squad depth remain issues, and they may be tempted to consider offers if the package is right. That is where the idea of including Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo comes into play.
Mainoo is widely regarded as one of United’s brightest talents, yet under Ruben Amorim he has fallen out of favour. Instead of gaining key minutes in midfield, he has found himself on the bench, and his development risks stalling at a crucial stage of his career.
For a 20-year-old with his ability and potential, regular football is essential. That is why using him as part of a swap deal could make sense for both clubs.
A move to Newcastle would give Mainoo not only playing time but also a chance to grow in a competitive environment. Eddie Howe trusts young players, and Newcastle’s style of play would suit Mainoo’s intelligence, energy, and technical ability.
He could immediately become part of their midfield options and would almost certainly feature more regularly than he does now. Newcastle’s involvement in European competitions, including the Champions League, add even more appeal for a young midfielder eager to prove himself on the biggest stage.
Mainoo’s journey through Manchester United’s academy has been impressive. He progressed through multiple youth levels before making his senior debut in 2022. Since then, he has made 87 appearances and scored seven goals, showing flashes of high-level potential.
His ability to control tempo, evade pressure, and carry the ball through midfield once made him seem like a long-term part of United’s plans.
However, this season has brought a halt to that progress. Under Amorim, he has struggled to secure meaningful minutes, raising serious questions about his future.
Whether he can still carve out a career at Old Trafford remains unclear, and a fresh start could be the best path for him. For Newcastle, acquiring a young, gifted midfielder like Mainoo in exchange for Livramento would be smart business, especially if they feel forced to let the defender go.
Mainoo fits the timeline of their project, aligns with their emphasis on developing young talent, and brings quality that could help them immediately.
Livramento, meanwhile, would offer Manchester United exactly what they have lacked: a reliable, energetic, modern full-back capable of defending at pace and offering creativity going forward.
With their backline still inconsistent, adding a long-term solution on the right side would be a welcome boost.
A swap deal of this nature is rare in the Premier League, but the logic behind it is strong for both sides. Manchester United get a proven defender with high potential, while Newcastle gain a young midfielder ready to grow into a central figure.
As January approaches, this is a transfer idea that could gather more momentum, and it might be one of the most interesting moves of the winter window.
