A look at who could join and who could leave Old Trafford this January.
After a somewhat shaky start to the season, it is becoming increasingly clear that Manchester United’s new manager David Moyes faces the difficult task of revamping the squad inherited from Sir Alex Ferguson. Whilst his predecessor, one of the finest managers ever in the game, was able to get these players to another level, Moyes may simply need to get rid of the deadwood and bring in some better quality performers in several positions. We look at three players who could be set for the Old Trafford exit door this January, and three who could come in as replacements.
Out: Nemanja Vidic
A player who clearly looks past his best as repeated injuries have taken their toll is club captain Nemanja Vidic. The Serbian centre-back has no doubt been a crucial part of the club’s success over the last few years, but it truly seems that his time at Old Trafford is up as his best form is behind him.
Still, several big clubs have been linked with the 31-year-old and United should take advantage of this situation and move him on while they can. With the likes of Juventus and Real Madrid supposedly keen on signing Vidic, United could still bring in a decent amount of money from his sale and get the chance to reinvest it in improving the rest of their squad.
Talks are ongoing over a new contract for the long-serving defender, but if an agreement can’t be reached United shouldn’t be too worried about losing this experienced member of their squad, as they could surely do with some fresh blood in that back four after Vidic has been found wanting on so many occasions already so far this season.
In: Martin Hinteregger (Red Bull Salzburg)
Not exactly a big name, but the perfect replacement for Vidic could be talented young Austrian defender Martin Hinteregger of Red Bull Salzburg. Vidic himself was not exactly a world class talent when United snapped him up from Spartak Moscow in 2006, but his tremendous potential saw him develop well at Old Trafford, and Hinteregger certainly looks like a player with the potential to do the same if David Moyes steps up his interest in him.
The 21-year-old has also been watched by the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Juventus, so United may have to act fast to sign him this January, as it seems increasingly likely that he will be heading to a bigger club sooner or later. Hinteregger could be a great long-term option at the back for the Red Devils and grow into a real leader at the club, and would certainly be cheaper than the likes of Eliaquim Mangala and Ezequiel Garay, who have also both been linked as recent targets for United in that position.
Out: Ashley Young
Next on the way out should be Ashley Young, who has flopped spectacularly since joining Manchester United from Aston Villa in 2011. Although the England winger made a bright start to life at Old Trafford, he has now failed to score since late on in that debut campaign, and contributed very little in the way of assists last season either.
With United’s talented pairing of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie upfront both looking somewhat starved of service, it is clear that Moyes needs to improve on the quality of midfielders in his squad, both centrally and in the wide areas, and Young stands out as an obvious candidate for the transfer list after so many poor displays, when he has been more noted for his diving than for anything else.
Rumour has it the 28-year-old could be sent out on loan for the second half of the season, with the likes of Newcastle and West Ham said to be interested in taking him on, and it wouldn’t be surprising if this was with the view of a permanent deal for next season, as Young surely has no future with United.
In: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona)
A good direct replacement for Ashley Young could be Barcelona’s talented Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez. The 24-year-old endured a slightly difficult start to life at the Nou Camp over the last two seasons, but has shown signs of a return to his best form this year, with four goals and three assists already in his first ten games of the campaign.
United are supposedly weighing up a £22m bid for Sanchez, whom they were also interested in while he was at former club Udinese. Sanchez had been linked with several moves away from Barcelona this summer after looking like a player they were willing to cut their losses on, though after his improved performances it might not be so easy for United to lure him away from the Catalan giants.
Still, there’s no doubt that Sanchez’s ability out wide on either flank or upfront would make him a significant improvement on their current attacking options, as his dribbling, intelligence and eye for goal would help Moyes’ side ease the pressure on Rooney and van Persie to do all the work.
Out: Antonio Valencia
Another winger who could be joining Ashley Young out of Manchester United this January is Antonio Valencia. The Ecuadorian is another frustratingly inconsistent talent who has failed to maintain his promising form from his first season at the club, and is simply not providing enough quality from the right flank at the moment to trouble opposition defenders or give his team-mates scoring opportunities.
Galatasaray are supposedly interested in taking Valencia of United’s hands, and the Red Devils should certainly look to cash in if they receive any offers for the former Wigan man this January, as it could help raise enough cash to target improved players such as Sanchez.
In: Remy Cabella (Montpellier)
Another top attacking talent who could form an excellent combination with Alexis Sanchez at Manchester United is Montpellier star Remy Cabella. The 23-year-old Frenchman, described by some as the next Zinedine Zidane, is more of a central midfield playmaker, though he can also fill in on the flanks as well. His skill, creativity and versatility could add a whole new dimension to United’s attack this season and really put them on the map again as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous sides.
Cabella won’t come cheap though, and it has even been claimed previously by Montpellier that they would command 100m euros, (or £84.8m) for their star player. United could surely negotiate that price down, and Cabella certainly looks like a player well worth paying the big money for, with five goals and two assists already this season in just eight games.
After missing out on the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Thiago Alcantara over the summer, the signing of Cabella would more than make up for it, and could be one of the best buys of the season if Moyes can pull it off.