Football Manager 2023 has proven itself to be a hit with fans, with budding gaffers from around the globe vying to become the next big managerial sensation.
However, the fun hasn't yet stopped with this year's game, with the annual winter update set to arrive in the new year, bringing a host of changes to the game.
Check below for everything you need to know about the Winter Update in Football Manager 2023.
Winter Update Patch Notes
The Football Manager 2023 Main Data Update went live on Thursday, 2 March, bringing a host of major changes to the game.
The FM23 Winter Update is highly anticipated every year as it brings new transfers, gameplay updates and bug fixes to the game. Changes in the 23.3 update include, but are not limited to:
- Stability and crash fixes
- Fixes to reduce mistakes from bad touches in certain areas of the pitch
- Fixes to defenders not preparing correctly for crosses in certain situations
- Improvements to defender reaction to long through balls
- Tweaks to make attacking players move quicker to support counter-attacks
- Improvements to how AI managers use different midfield role combinations
- Improvements to central defender and defensive midfielder positioning from long goal kicks
- Improvements to how attacking wide players track back when defending
- Fixes for defending wide indirect free kicks at the edge of the area
- 'Header won' statistic now only counts contested headers
- Improvements to the Recruitment Focus logic
- Fixed cases of reserve or youth team tactics appearing blank in the Development Centre
- Tweaks to development loans for AI teams
- Improvements to fixture scheduling, particularly the frequency of consecutive home or away games
- Updated substitution rules across various competitions
Football Manager 2023 Winter Update
Football Manager 2023's Winter Update will bring bug fixes and subtle gameplay tweaks, acting upon anything reported to the developers by players since the game's full launch.
The Football Manager 2023 Winter Update will also bring changes to player ratings and may even see new wonderkids added to the game, as happened a few years ago with the arrival of Borussia Dortmund hotshot Youssoufa Moukoko.
Release Date
The Football Manager 2023 Main Data Update went live on Thursday, 2 March, bringing a host of major changes to the game.
Major Changes
Arsenal are flying at the top of the Premier League and it's no surprise that their players have received a significant upgrade in Football Manager 2023.
In that case, there's no shock that Bukayo Saka is now the most exciting talent in Arteta's squad, with the England international receiving a +6 in his current ability, and now boasting a maximum potential ability of 182.
Now, exciting stars like Karou Mitoma, Moises Caicdeo and striker Evan Ferguson have all been upgraded in the Winter Update.
Ferguson is one of the highest rises from the update, with the Republic of Ireland international boasting a CA of 128, an increase of 22, and a max PA of 180, making him one of the best wonderkids in FM23.
The same can be said for Mitoma, who rises 19 ability points in the Winter Update. The Japanese star has rocked the Premier League and it's no surprise he's been handed a healthy upgrade.
Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't exactly received a lot of love in the football gaming sphere, with the former Ballon d'Or winner being downgraded once again in the Winter Update.
Fear not Ronaldo fans, as we're certain that the Portuguese sensation has received an ample consolation prize, with a staggering £1.7 million per week wage listed on his profile, following his move to Al-Nassr.