A look at five signings that could turn United’s season around.
Reigning champions Manchester United may already be in serious risk of falling out of the title race this season, currently sitting in 8th place with only three wins from their first eight games. With Sir Alex Ferguson gone, the lack of quality in certain areas of the side has been badly exposed, with new man at the helm David Moyes in clear need of some big-name reinforcements when the transfer window re-opens in January. We look at five targets that could make all the difference this season as United and Moyes look to turn things around.
5. Eliaquim Mangala (Porto)
Part of Manchester United’s biggest problem so far this season has certainly been defensively, with the once-great pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic looking past their best and surely needing to be replaced by younger blood.
One target that has been linked with a move to United and many other clubs is exciting Porto youngster Eliaquim Mangala, who looks like one of the best defensive prospects in the world at the moment. The 22-year-old Frenchman is strong, fast and could be a great addition to David Moyes’ struggling back four.
However, Mangala certainly won’t come cheap, with rumours that Porto will hold out for his buyout clause of around £37m. As well as that, United could face strong competition from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona for this highly-rated starlet.
4. Leighton Baines (Everton)
A long-term target for Manchester United during the summer, Everton’s Leighton Baines is likely to be a top target again for Moyes this January as he targets a second raid on his old club. Patrice Evra looks like another ageing member of United’s back four at the moment who could do with replacing, and there’s no doubt that Baines’ attacking ability from the back could make him a deadly weapon for the champions and add a new dimension to their game.
Baines has also emerged as a target for Tottenham, so United may regret failing to bring him in during the summer, but the Red Devils will still surely have the pull to beat their rivals to big-name players such as the Toffees left-back.
Fabio Coentrao of Real Madrid is known to have come close to joining United on loan on transfer deadline day, and he could be a decent alternative to look at again if United miss out on Baines.
3. Sami Khedira (Real Madrid)
One of several midfield players to be linked with Manchester United in the summer, Sami Khedira was also rumoured to be a late target for David Moyes as he sought a more complete box-to-box player for his side to complement the style of Michael Carrick. Khedira would certainly have been a great purchase after his fine performances for Real Madrid and Germany over the last few years, and could be a great choice for United again if they continue to search for a new midfielder.
Although United signed Marouane Fellaini in the closing stages of the summer transfer window, the Belgian has had something of a slow start to life at Old Trafford and does not look to have the necessary skills to keep things ticking along in United’s midfield. Khedira’s experience and intelligence at the top level could make him a superior option, and he may be available this January after his relations with the Spanish giants appear to have soured.
Also linked with Chelsea and PSG during the summer, Khedira has admitted to feeling undervalued at the Bernabeu, and United should certainly look to take advantage of this situation when the transfer window re-opens.
2. Remy Cabella (Montpellier)
Further up the field, United could still do with some extra creativity following the retirement of Paul Scholes at the end of last season. Starved of a true playmaker – except perhaps Shinji Kagawa, who looks set to be sold in January – United are supposedly keen on the signing of Montpellier star Remy Cabella, whose silky skills in midfield have seen him compared with French legend Zinedine Zidane.
Arsenal are also keen on the 23-year-old, who could be available for a bargain price of just £15m this January, though United’s need for a player of this type is greater and they should definitely go all out for this top talent.
Moyes was known to be in for a similar type of player for much of the summer, but missed out on some ambitious targets such as Cesc Fabregas and Thiago Alcantara. Cabella may not be in their league just yet, but he looks to have tremendous potential and seems ready to make the step up to a bigger club and to test himself in English football.
1. Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona)
A skillful and versatile attacker, Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez could be a great signing for Manchester United this January, and rumour has it they may be willing to fork out £22m to Barca for the Chilean wide-man.
With United short of quality options on the flanks, Sanchez could definitely be a significant improvement on the likes of Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Nani, all of whom have seriously under-performed over the last year or so, and who could also be on their way out of the club, with Young said to be on the transfer list and Valencia a target for Galatasaray.
Sanchez is an intelligent and creative player, who also has a good eye for goal and could provide another option upfront if necessary. United need more players capable of producing match-winning moments of magic, and Sanchez could be that player. He hasn’t always shown his best form since moving to Barcelona, but has improved immensely this year and would be a target well worth looking at for Moyes when the transfer window re-opens.