The 2023/24 season has been one of major anguish for Manchester United, both on the pitch and off it.
The Red Devils have underwhelmed in Erik ten Hag’s second season in charge, sitting well outside the top four while also exiting all European competition and the Carabao Cup. The FA Cup is their final chance of a trophy, but they will have to improve a lot for success in that tournament to materialise.
However, news of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’ investment has perked fans up approaching the end of 2023. January will mark their first transfer window as part of Man Utd and it could well be a fascinating few weeks in the market.
Here are the areas Man Utd need to strengthen and the players they have been interested in.
Issues with Man Utd’s squad can be more clearly attributed to injuries this season rather than a clear lack of individuals. There might be clamour for a new left-back but they are well-stocked in that position; it’s just that Luke Shaw, Sergio Reguilon and Tyrell Malacia have all been injured at various times.
There could be a shake-up in defence soon, however, with Raphael Varane’s time at Old Trafford looking close to its end. The Frenchman will be out of contract at the end of the season and, as 90min have reported, he will almost certainly need to be replaced, be that in January or the summer.
Jonny Evans is providing temporary depth, so there is scope to sign a new defender who can do a similar job for the rest of the season and grow in importance next term.
Key targets
The Red Devils have been linked with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who seems to grow in stature week in, week out. He doesn’t seem keen on a January move but Man Utd would certainly like to make it happen.
Other various names like Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio, Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba, Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo and Antonio Silva at Benfica have been linked with Man Utd and other top Premier League sides ahead of the winter window.
For many years, central midfield felt like the area where Man Utd were missing that special player. Right now, it feels more like they have been lacking a serious right winger for years.
Many fans are fed up of watching Antony play in that role, while it is clear Alejandro Garnacho is better suited to the left flank.
With Jadon Sancho out in the cold and the unproven Amad Diallo still trying to recover from injury, there is space for a quality right winger who can provide a consistent threat for the rest of the season.
Key targets
There have been whispers of Man Utd trying to execute a swap deal with Borussia Dortmund that would see Sancho return to the Bundesliga and Donyell Malen arrive at Old Trafford. That idea does not seem to have taken off but it could be rekindled, even without being a swap.
He tends to play on the left but Man Utd are one of many top sides known to be watching Khvicha Kvaratskhelia very closely, with the Napoli winger starting to recapture his best form.
If a new player does arrive at Old Trafford in January, it will most likely be a striker.
It’s already clear United will not trigger the extension on Anthony Martial’s contract. He is the only central forward in the squad aside from Rasmus Hojlund, who is taking some time to settle into his role at Man Utd.
An extra striker who is ready to make an immediate impact would be incredibly welcome in the January transfer window. Only Sheffield United (13) have scored fewer goals than Man Utd (18), with Crystal Palace, Luton and Burnley matching the Red Devils’ tally in joint-second-worst. They are desperately lacking a striker who can score week in, week out.
An expensive signing seems unlikely, given Hojlund was only recently signed to become that player in the future.
Key targets
Man Utd recently watched Serhou Guirassy in action for Stuttgart against Bayern Munich. The 27-year-old has scored 17 goals in the Bundesliga so far this season, with Man Utd certainly not the only club monitoring his progress.
Serie A stars Dusan Vlahovic and Lautaro Martinez have both been linked with Man Utd in recent months, although those prospective deals are more likely to be explored in the summer rather than January.
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