A lot has been said about Manchester United’s current players over the past week.
The surest way to shake the team up in the January transfer window is to bring in new players and ship out those who are either not contributing or no longer wanted.
It is hard to imagine United spending record fees in January, the club rarely do. The club spent well in the summer and instead will be looking towards smart, more moderately priced additions.
There could be bargains to be had too. No matter who the manager is by January, United should be looking to continually evolve and improve the squad.
Here is a look a three players who Manchester United could target to spark an improvement…
Kieran Trippier
Trippier was a summer target for Manchester United, although no agreement could be reached over a fee with Atletico Madrid.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s stunted progress could tempt United back into the transfer market in January at right-back.
Wan-Bissaka has struggled to kick on with his attacking play, and errors have been creeping in defensively.
Diogo Dalot has also failed to shine in his limited opportunities, notably at home to Villarreal.
Trippier is an experienced defender who is good at going forward. He would arguably be an upgrade on Wan-Bissaka, rather than a fill-in like Dalot.
Signing Trippier would give United more flexibility tactically to try out 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 diamond formations, due to his attacking play from the position. Trippier featured at wing-back for England at Euro 2020.
Marcelo Brozovic
Manchester United need a midfielder capable of controlling games, who has experience and fresh legs.
Brozovic, 28, is still young enough to make an impact and not in the Nemanja Matic category just yet.
The Croatian is out of contract next summer and so could be signed for a bargain fee, especially considering Inter may need the money.
Naturally if Antonio Conte is Manchester United boss by that point, then the possibility of signing Brozovic becomes even stronger, as he managed him for the two previous seasons, and a reunion would apply to both.
But even if Conte is not manager and it is Solskjaer, or another coach, Brozovic could be exactly what United need.
His quality in possession and reading of the game could help transform United’s midfield into a calmer, more serene unit, rather than the chaotic mess it currently is.
Franck Kessie
Another player in the same situation as Brozovic, Kessie’s contract is also set to expire next summer.
The possibility of attracting Kessie to Old Trafford is an enticing one, with the midfielder a high quality box to box midfielder who would suit Solskjaer’s system.
The big factor counting against this move short-term, is the African Cup of Nations, if the tournament goes ahead. If it does, then Kessie would not be available until late February and would not make the impact United require.
The Express report the tournament could be postponed dependent on how host nation Cameroon is dealing with the pandemic.
If Kessie is free to play immediately at club level in January and does not travel for the tournament, he would be an excellent addition to United’s midfield.
Longer term beyond the AFCON, Kessie would be a player who would improve United’s options who would be available far below his market value.
- Youri Tielemans’ past injuries and age cannot overshadow immediate solution solved in Man Utd’s post-Casemiro era
- I was desperate for Man United to sign Eduardo Camavinga, but his latest Real Madrid decision is a worry
- Joshua Zirkzee’s stance on Juventus move could fast-track Man Utd exit
- Danilo has already learned two important skills from Casemiro amid rumblings he could move to Man Utd
- Man Utd may immediately repeat their successful Youri Tielemans ‘trick’ with their next midfield signing
- Why Man Utd’s brand-new Adidas away shirt for 2026/27 Premier League season is in blue design
- Alejandro Garnacho’s Aston Villa spell could determine which of his two ex-Man Utd teammates’ footsteps he follows
- There’s one major difference with how Benjamin Sesko looks in training
- What Manchester United’s XI vs Rosenborg looked like in 2024 pre-season clash
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
