Manchester United
Man United’s future would be sorted if they manage to sign this 26-year-old Colombian on loan at Barcelona
Why Man United should sign on-loan centre-back Jeison Murillo
According to the Daily Mail, Barcelona have unveiled the signing of Colombian centre-back Jeison Murillo on loan from Valencia before the January transfer window.
The report also claims that Barcelona have an option to buy him at the end of the season for £22.6million.
A product of Colombian club Deportivo Cali, Murillo made his move to Europe with Udinese in 2010 and had stints in Spain at La Palmas and Granada before joining Inter Milan in 2015. He was a regular for the Nerazzurri in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons and once again shifted base to Valencia at the start of the 2017-18 season.
After enjoying considerable success at Valencia last season, things have gone downhill for the Colombian this term. He has started only once in the La Liga and has subsequently been loaned out to Barcelona for the remainder of the season.
Even though Barcelona have an option to make the deal permanent, other clubs can still make an offer for Murillo to lure him away from Spain.
Standing at just a shade over 6ft., Murillo is not particularly tall for a centre-back but his ability to take off the ground quickly and time his jump to perfection makes him a genuine aerial threat on the field. The 26-year-old has considerable body strength and is adept at outmuscling his offensive counterparts in the final third.
Murillo is quite fast and agile for a centre-back and does not struggle against fleet-footed opposition. He has a decent positional sense and his decision-making is also of the highest quality.
A good reader of the game at the back, the Colombian knows exactly when to follow the runs of the attackers and when to stand his ground. Consequently, he rarely gets caught out of position and does not dive into reckless challenges.
To add to his defensive qualities, Murillo is also a very good passer of the ball and doesn’t hesitate to join the attack in times of need.
To put things into perspective, Murillo, who has 26 international caps for Colombia, would be a great signing for Manchester United. Having joined Barcelona on loan recently, a deal might be difficult to materialise in January but the Red Devils should try to snap him up in the summer.
Man United have got themselves back to winning ways under their club legend and caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. However, victories against Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Bournemouth can hardly be deemed as yardsticks upon which the team’s progress can be judged.
The defence has been a problem for the Red Devils this season and United have a poor, having conceded 32 goals so far. United sit 6th in the Premier League standings but they need more options at the back to challenge for a top-four finish.
Phil Jones and Victor Lindelof have been the first-choice centre-back pairing for Solskjaer but he should be aware of the fact that all the centre-backs have let the team down with inconsistent performances this season. Irrespective of what the future holds for Solskjaer, United need a quality centre-back in the foreseeable future.
Stability at the back is what United need to revive their glory of the yesteryears and Jeison Murillo can certainly do a world of good to the squad depth at Old Trafford. That said, the Red Devils should start keeping a close eye on his performances at Camp Nou.
Manchester United officially recalled 19-year-old midfielder Emma Watson from her season-long loan at Crystal Palace on January 12, 2026.
The Scotland international was set to spend the entire campaign at the South London club but returned to her parent club at the halfway point.
Watson becomes the third Manchester United player recalled this January window following Evie Rabjohn and Keira Barry as head coach Marc Skinner strategically reshapes his squad depth for the title push ahead.
Crystal Palace Development Period
Watson joined Crystal Palace in August 2025 on a season-long loan after spending the previous campaign on loan at Everton. During her time at Palace, she made eight competitive appearances and scored two goals, including an assist against Sunderland in October.
She earned the TEN Player of the Month award following impressive displays throughout October when she scored a brace against Ipswich Town. Her performances demonstrated maturity and composure as she adapted quickly to senior football demands despite her young age and new surroundings.
Manchester United’s Strategic Recruitment Window
Watson returns to Carrington as Manchester United completed signings of Lea Schuller from Bayern Munich and Hanna Lundkvist from San Diego Wave.
The club aims to build squad depth across all positions for their title challenge and four-competition objectives. Watson made her Manchester United debut in November 2024 during a Women’s League Cup group-stage clash with Everton before scoring her first goal against Newcastle United in the same competition. An anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained while on international duty in September 2023 initially impacted her development but she has since returned to full fitness.
Uncertain Future Path
Manchester United has not confirmed whether Watson will feature in first team plans or could be sold to another club during the remainder of the January window. Her return provides Marc Skinner with attacking midfield options as United bid to challenge Manchester City for the league title while maintaining their Champions League and domestic cup ambitions.
Also read: After two-and-a-half years, Janice Cayman departs Leicester City for PSV
Arsenal Women host Manchester United on Saturday in a crucial six pointer for Champions League qualification. The Gunners sit just one point above United in the WSL table and victory at Emirates Stadium would give them a strong buffer, while defeat leaves them playing catch up in the race for Europe.
The match marks Arsenal’s return from the winter break following a busy week that saw Renee Slegers sign a new contract and Jodie Taylor promoted to Technical Director. However, the immediate focus is on securing three points against Marc Skinner’s side in what promises to be a tense encounter.
Kick-off: 12:30 GMT, Saturday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
TV: Sky Sports (UK)
Cooney Cross Absent For Personal Reasons
Arsenal will be without Kyra Cooney Cross who has returned to Australia for personal reasons. Daphne van Domselaar is not quite ready to return from a quad injury while Chloe Kelly remains out with a knee problem. Jenna Nighswonger will not be in the matchday squad as she negotiates a loan move.
New signing Smilla Holmberg from Hammarby will be in the squad alongside recalled goalkeeper Naomi Williams. Manu Zinsberger and Katie Reid are out with ACL injuries. The absence of Cooney Cross means Mariona will likely drop into the deeper midfield role she has occupied for much of the last year.
United Strengthened in January
Manchester United have been busy in the transfer window, adding full back Hanna Lundkvist from San Diego Wave and centre forward Lea Schuller from Bayern Munich. Skinner was dealt a poor hand over the summer with a very small squad handling Champions League qualifiers and the group phase.
Predicted Lineup:
Arsenal (4-3-3): Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona, Maanum; Mead, Russo, Smith
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti; Park, Malard, Awujo; Schuller
Also read: Arsenal Women disable social media comments after sexist backlash to new signing
Manchester United
Manchester United Women Recall Keira Barry and Evie Rabjohn From Sunderland Loan After Six Month Championship Spell
Manchester United Women have recalled Keira Barry and Evie Rabjohn from their loan spells at Sunderland after just over six months in the Championship.
The duo return to Old Trafford to reinforce Marc Skinner’s squad as United compete across four competitions in the second half of the season.
Barry proved more influential during her time with the Black Cats, scoring three goals in 11 appearances. Rabjohn featured just six times in the Championship as the 20-year-old continues her gradual return from an ACL injury sustained last season.
Limited Funds for January Business
Skinner made it clear before the winter break that United could be busy in the January transfer window. The Red Devils have already recruited Lea Schuller from Bayern Munich in a statement signing, but much like the men’s team, United Women don’t have significant funds to work with this month.
It remains unknown whether Skinner will dip back into the market before the window closes. With United still competing in four competitions, reinforcements may be needed given the amount of football remaining before the end of the season.
Other Loanees Remain at Clubs
Barry and Rabjohn weren’t the only Manchester United players sent on loan this season. Lucy Newell has been playing for Birmingham City while Jess Simpson took her talents to Southampton for the campaign.
Emma Watson completes the list of loanees, currently playing for Everton where she has struggled for game time. There is no indication United will recall any other players from their loans as they would have already made that decision early in the window.
The returns provide Skinner with additional depth as United look to maintain their top four position in the WSL.
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