Six Potential Targets For January: Who Will Manchester United Sign?

Ever Sir Alex Ferguson's departure from the Manchester United dugout, things have gone from bad to worse for the Red Devils. The current situation, however, is worse than any for the 20-time English champions.

The Red Devils are sitting on 12th place in the table after eight games, with just nine points. They are level on points with newly-promoted Sheffield United and just two points above the relegation zone.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, one of the most beloved disciples of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson,has a big job on his hands now.As the manager of the team that he used to grace on the pitch during their golden era, he has to burden of a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders.

The Red Devils are in dire need of quality reinforcements for their squad and are likely to be one of the busier teams during the winter transfer window. Solskjaer has even given six transfer recommendations to Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, if reports are to be believed.

The manager has already admitted that he is keen to strengthen his squad, with a new striker being the priority in the January transfer window.

According to reports, Solskjaer, along with his assistant Mike Phelan and scout Jim Lawlor, have proposed six potential signings to Woodward ahead of the upcoming transfer window. However, it is public knowledge that most teams are reluctant to lose their key players in January. 

Even if they do sanction a deal, teams would have to overpay. Only unwanted players would be easier to get. 

As per reports, the Manchester United hierarchy is intending to wait until the summer to sign key players, after the mistake they made with Alexis Sanchez’s transfer last year. 

The Red Devils are willing to adopt a more patient approach in the transfer market, taking lessons from Liverpool’s six-month pursuit of Virgil van Dijk. Their rivals did not move for an alternative to the Dutchman after failing to land him in the summer of 2017. They waited for him and eventually Southampton accepted a bid in January 2018 and we all know how well the move went.

Two of the six targets of the Red Devils are believed to be Croatian star duo Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic. Mandzukic has not made an appearance for Juventus this season. He came really close to joining United in the summer, before the club pulled out of the transfer. Pulling off a move for the former Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid striker shouldn't be too much a problem for the Red Devils. 

Getting his compatriot Rakitic during the middle of the season from Barcelona, however, would be a big ask, even though the Croat has been more of a squad player this campaign.

Cover image credits: Fox Sports Asia