Man Utd 'line up move' for January transfer window - but it is not a left-back

Updated: 8 Sept 2026 09:38 BST | 4 min read

Matthew Judge | Editor

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Manchester United remain interested in signing the €120million-rated (£103.1m) Felix Nmecha from Borussia Dortmund, according to reports in Germany.

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The 25-year-old was loosely linked with the Red Devils as they prioritised strengthening their midfield in the summer transfer window.

However, United ended up completing their rebuild by acquiring Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos for a reported €173.2m (£148.8m).

Despite that, German outlet FussballDaten claims the 20-time league champions are still in contact with Dortmund officials over a possible deal for Nmecha.

The Express goes one step further by claiming the United hierarchy may look to strike an agreement with the Bundesliga side in the January transfer window.

Manchester City academy graduate Nmecha joined Dortmund from Wolfsburg in July 2023 and has recorded 13 goals and eight assists in 116 games.

Michael Carrick’s side reportedly face competition for Nmecha from Newcastle United - another club who were linked with the central midfielder this summer.

However, German giants Dortmund are believed to be keen on keeping hold of Nmecha, who signed a contract extension through to 2030 in March.

Other outlets claim United are prioritising new left-back

While it remains to be seen whether United are still interested in Nmecha, it would come as a major surprise if that were the case.

After signing Baleba from Brighton and Hove Albion, BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone claimed United were now prioritising signing a new left-back.

The Old Trafford club were linked with several candidates this summer including Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall and Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde.

© IMAGO - Lewis Hall (left) and Alejandro Balde (right)

There were also loose whispers of interest in RB Leipzig’s David Raum, while United had a loan offer for Rayan Ait-Nouri rejected by Man City on deadline day.

Carrick’s men are looking to source a successor to long-time left-back Luke Shaw, who turned 31 in July and has just one year left on his contract.

Shaw joined United from Southampton for a reported €34.9m (£30m) in June 2014, becoming the most expensive teenager in world football at the time.

The England international has registered five goals and 31 assists in 328 appearances for United, winning three honours including the Europa League in 2017.