New U’s head coach Gary Rowett will likely have different ideas on where to strengthen, and even the profile of player, compared to his predecessor Des Buckingham.
There’s also the small matter of ensuring United comply with the Football League’s 25-man squad limit, so outgoings are necessary to free up spaces.
Joe Bennett, who was left out of the previous 25-man squad, is expected to be available after mid-January following a lengthy ankle injury.
READ ALSO: Our player ratings after U’s record back-to-back wins
We had a look at the key transfer questions facing the U’s this month.
The quad injury suffered by Leicester City loanee Ben Nelson means a replacement centre back is likely to be on United’s shopping list, with Nelson not expected to make a return until February at the very earliest, although March is understood to be a more likely timeframe.
Summer signing Jack Currie has been earning strong reviews on loan at Leyton Orient, but with Bennett already primed to return at left back, whether there will space for both players, plus Greg Leigh, is an interesting conundrum to solve.
In midfield, a destructive holding player may well have been on the wish list a couple of weeks ago, but Will Vaulks has looked far more assured by having Cameron Brannagan partner him in midfield, as opposed to operating as a single six.
Idris El Mizouni and Josh McEachran already provide competition for those two midfield spots.
Similarly, a creative attacking midfielder would’ve been a welcome addition, however the returns from injury of Siriki Dembele and Louie Sibley could help plug that gap, with Tyler Goodrham and Ruben Rodrigues also available.
Club record signing Dembele played on the left wing under Buckingham, but was noticeably in a central role behind Mark Harris when he came off the bench against Cardiff City on Boxing Day.
Wide duo Malcolm Ebiowei and Kyle Edwards face uncertain futures. Crystal Palace loanee Ebiowei has made just six appearances for the U’s and hasn’t been involved in the last eight matchday squads, while Edwards sees a short-term deal expire following the trip to Millwall today.
United can still call upon the aforementioned Dembele and Goodrham, plus Owen Dale, Matt Phillips and Przemyslaw Placheta in wide areas, however with Dembele, Phillips and Placheta all spending significant time on the sidelines due to injuries this season, a winger or two could be in the frame.
Up front, Will Goodwin needs regular game time and a loan switch is a strong possibility. That would allow a one in, one out situation, providing stiffer competition for Mark Harris and Dane Scarlett.