Five players Manchester United could try to sign in January

Premier League clubs have not yet played a quarter of their games for the 2019/20 season, but no doubt each of the 20 teams will be busy preparing for January when the winter transfer window opens.

While some prefer continuity when it comes to mid-season spending, others will inevitably loosen the purse strings in order to boost their chances of success, whether it be a bid to avoid relegation or sneak into the top six.

Manchester United, after a disappointing start to the campaign, will be depending on the transfer window more than most as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer desperately seeks for a way of catapulting his side up the table, with even a top-six finish appearing optimistic.

The Red Devils have won just three of their opening 10 league fixtures and, considering the limited resources at Solskjaer’s disposal, face a huge upcoming transfer window with several positions lacking cover.

Since United’s last Premier League triumph in 2013, a whopping £968million has been spent on player recruitment as the red half of Manchester craves for a return to the glory days.

But Old Trafford has been the epicentre for a plethora of expensive transfer mistakes in the last six years, with the squad arguably in a weaker position compared to 2013 despite nearly £1billion of player expenditure.

We’re taking a look at five players Manchester United could try to sign in January and provide some much-needed squad depth.

James Maddison (Leicester City)

If you look were to look back at the Manchester United sides under Sir Alex Ferguson, technically gifted players played a significant part in the Scot’s success at Old Trafford.

Paul Scholes and Eric Cantona, to name only two, had the ability to unlock even the most robust and organised defences – something which Solskjaer is noticeably missing from his armoury.

As for January options to fill the creative midfielder void, look no further than Leicester City star James Maddison.

The 22-year-old created more chances than any other player in the Premier League last season, while notching seven goals.

With Paul Pogba’s future at the club seemingly always in doubt and the ageing Juan Mata past his glory years, Maddison would be the perfect fit for a United side often devoid of creativity.

But with Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Spanish giants Real Madrid also linked with the £80million-rated Englishman, United will have to splash the cash to buy the youngster.

Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)

Another highly-rated young Englishman who could change the fortunes at Manchester United is Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho.

The 19-year-old left United’s rivals Manchester City in 2017 to join Dortmund in a deal worth just £8million and has never looked back since.

The pacey winger already has three goals and five assists in this season’s Bundesliga campaign and, with many promising years ahead in his career, would appeal to the United hierarchy in terms of his resale value.

Were the Old Trafford club to capture the London-born forward, he would provide serious competition for the heavily relied upon Marcus Rashford and show real intent from the club’s board.

Mario Mandzukic (Juventus)

The departure of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan at the start of August left the Red Devils desperately short of options at the top end of the pitch and without an out-and-out striker.

After a move for Juventus man Paulo Dybala fell through, United will now have to wait until January to bring in offensive reinforcements, where fellow Juve forward Mario Mandzukic should be considered as an attacking option.

The 33-year-old has not played a minute of Serie A football this season and does not appear to be in Maurizio Sarri’s plans.

Mandzukic’s presence at Old Trafford would almost certainly benefit younger forwards such as Rashford and Mason Greenwood, while also providing a welcome alternative at the top end of the pitch.

Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)

No matter which way Solskjaer seems to shuffle his midfield options of Fred, Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, the Norwegian boss has not yet come across a settled pairing.

With the Old Trafford club likely to try and strengthen in the centre of the park, Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos is definitely a player United chiefs should be keeping a close eye on as the January transfer window nears.

A bona fide world class operator, the German boasts an array of experience with over 150 appearances for Madrid alongside 94 caps for his country.

The 29-year-old, who was the top assist maker at the 2014 World Cup, would provide some welcome creativity in the United midfield, while still in the prime of his career.

Denis Zakaria (Norwich City)

Although the name Denis Zakaria may not be the first name that springs to mind when you think of options to bolster the United midfield, the 22-year-old Swiss is in fact one of the hottest prospects in European football.

Zakaria has shone this season in a Borussia Monchengladbach side which currently sits top of the Bundesliga and the defensive midfielder has so far played every minute of the campaign.

Over the last few seasons, United have been criticised for bringing in players past the prime of their careers with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Alexis Sanchez and Radamel Falcao all flattering to deceive.

However, upcoming talents in the mould of Zakira will need to be recruited if the Red Devils are to make it back to the top of the world football tree.