Five players Manchester United could try to sign in January

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.