The January transfer window has slammed shut and Europe is preparing for battles for league titles, European spots and avoiding relegation.
With the end of the window bringing fresh faces to squads, there is a chance to create alternative realities on Football Manager to change the fortunes of your favourite club.
Different ways to tackle the challenges are available as you can choose squads with transfers already made or the Real World mode where transfers will only take place when they did in real life.
Here at the Sporting Loft we present five FM26 saves to tackle after the closing of the January transfer window.
Wolves
Probably the obvious choice for a club looking for a change in fortunes, Wolves currently sit rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table with a solitary win and eight points.
After the sale of Jorgen Strand Larsen the club have lost some firepower up front and will hope new signing Adam Armstrong can fill the void.
By selecting the real world mode, can you make the most of Strand Larsen’s presence until he departs in January and look to put places between you and the relegation zone?
Bonus points for signing any extra Gomes’ or Bueno’s to the squad on top of Angel Gomes’ arrival.
Rangers
After a Russell Martin shaped blip to start the season, Rangers appear to have their campaign back on track under Danny Rohl and are now well a truly in the title race.
Their European campaign was a forgettable one after being dumped out of Champions League qualifying and the Europa League league phase.
Both the summer and January window saw lots of business for the club especially in attack, so can you adapt your tactics to fit your revolving door of transfers.
Can you fight off a resilient Celtic side and an ever stubborn Hearts team to take home the Premiership title and go one step further than the Rangers side of 2022 in European competition?
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Lens
Sitting just two points behind PSG in the Ligue 1 table, Lens have proven a surprise challenger for the title despite their drastically lower budget.
The club have made a few notable signings in this January window with Arthur Masuaku joining on loan from Sunderland and Allan Saint-Maximin joining on a free transfer.
Can you take advantage of the strong foundations set by the Lens of the present to beat PSG to the title and stop another year of Paris dominance?
With European fixtures piling up and the resurgence of the likes of Florian Thauvin, you may not get a better opportunity to bring home the trophy.
Sheffield United
After a disastrous beginning to the season brought about the return of Chris Wilder to Brammall Lane, the club appear to have grown in confidence and have eyes on a potential play-off spot.
Wilder has seemingly acquired a core of former Leeds United players as Leo Hjelde, Joe Rothwell and Kalvin Phillips all joined the club on deadline day.
Can you put the terrible start of the season behind you and see the Blades back to the Premier League after narrowly missing out last campaign?
Bonus points if you can continue the trend of signing ex Leeds United footballers to see you over the line to promotion.
Benfica
Despite not tasting defeat in the league this season, Benfica sit in third place and nine points behind league leaders Porto after 20 games.
Jose Mourinho’s side have proven tough to beat but lack the firepower to beat sides on a consistent basis.
With the return of Rafa Silva to the club from Besiktas, can you topple Porto and Sporting whilst maintaining an unbeaten league run?
Additionally, can you push for European glory and finally break the infamous Guttmann curse with a Mourinho-inspired side.
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