Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already warned it will take Manchester United "two or three" summer transfer windows to fix all of their problems amid the opening of the January window.

The mid-season window opened for business on Wednesday, providing clubs with a month to strengthen their respective squads ahead of the second half of the season, and supporters are dreaming of seeing some new additions at Old Trafford.

However, United have said there is "no money" to be spent on new additions this month, meaning Ruben Amorim faces an anxious wait to find out if the club will be able to generate funds via player sales to strengthen his squad.

READ MORE: Man United can save millions on Andre Onana transfer solution to give Ruben Amorim what he needs

READ MORE: Manchester United might have to achieve Bruno Fernandes' 'target' to save this season and next

Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag in M16 at the start of November and wasted no time in changing United's identity, switching their shape from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-3. It means United are lacking quality in key areas of the pitch, not least at wing-back.

But even without the financial constraints United are facing this month, they have rarely spent big in January. For example, Ten Hag was not supplied with a permanent signing in either of the two January windows he oversaw during his time in charge.

United's decision to stick with Ten Hag last summer risks setting the club's long-term project back years, with Amorim being drafted in just months after the club triggered the option to extend Ten Hag's stay by a further year. As a result, Ratcliffe's idea that United will require up to three summer windows to fix their troubles risks being pushed even further back.

"We're sort of a bit handicapped in that sense, so I think we'll do a fairly good job," Ratcliffe said, previewing the 2024 summer window. "It will take two or three summer windows to get to a better place.

"I'm not confident that we'll solve all the problems in the first transfer window."

Regardless of the manager situation, Ratcliffe was right. United were never going to be able to fix all of their issues in one window. Last summer's window marked the beginning of the Ineos era at United and a big focus was put on them to improve United's hit-rate on the recruitment front.

The club signed the likes of Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte in forward-thinking deals, and both players are expected to play a key part in the club's future. However, United need to continue signing players with longevity in mind.

Amorim, after Boxing Day's 2-0 defeat to Wolves, admitted he had "no idea" how long it will take for United to fix all of their woes, but it is most definitely possible it could now run beyond the three summer windows Ratcliffe originally forecasted.

"I have no idea," Amorim said. "No idea. Instead of me trying to understand how much time it will take, just day by day.

"Improving, trying to see the videos, using every minute of training and try to win some points because it's really important in this moment."