3 midfielders Manchester United could look to sign this winter 

With the arrival of the January transfer window, rumours surrounding the Mancunian club have started to spread here and there. In what is considered to be a difficult period to sign players, Manchester United are one of many who will certainly be looking to acquire reinforcements this January.

Despite making three signings over the summer transfer window, Manchester United began the 2019-20 season with an underwhleming squad. 31 points from 21 matches is the result and they stand 5th in the Premier League points, five points behind the 4th-placed Chelsea. United currently have enough players to sustain the defensive and attacking departments, while the midfield needs reinforcements. Injuries to the main midfielders and incompetence in signing the replacements for Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini have put a major issue in front of Ole Gunnar Solskjær. And hence, new arrivals in midfield are needed.

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#3 Boubakary Soumaré

Boubakary Soumaré playing for LOSC Lille

The 20-year-old French midfielder is the one Manchester United football club should be looking at. The French prodigy, who can don both central and defensive midfield roles with the skillset and strength he possesses, currently plays for Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille.

In 2017, Soumaré joined Lille in what was a free transfer from FC Paris Saint-Germain B. Since then, the midfielder, at the age of 20, has played nearly 50 games for Lille's first team. This season, Soumare has made 23 appearances so far in all competitions for Les Dogues. However, defensive duties at the heart of the midfield haven't offered him a chance yet to add a goal or assist to his name this season.

While Nemanja Matić wants to make his way out of the Manchester club and youth prospect James Garner isn't ready for Premier League football, the addition of Boubakary Soumaré would be a perfect signing for the Red Devils. Although he is young and currently plays in a less-competitive league, we should also cherish what N'Golo Kanté did with Leicester City after moving from the French League side, Stade Malherbe Caen. Only time will tell us whether United are going to get him or not.

#2 Jack Grealish

Grealish is only 24 years of age as he could help United build a team around him

Jack Grealish - a new name in the Premier League - has done an impressive job for Aston Villa, wrapping up five assists and six goals from 19 Premier League matches this season so far. In the summer transfer, Manchester United was seen chasing the deal for Leicester's James Maddison. After the signing of Harry Maguire for a record transfer fee, the rumour of Maddison faded as it was assumed that the Foxes would not let their two assets go in the same window. It seems like United are never going to get Maddison any time soon as Brendan Rodgers' men deservingly are in the title race with Liverpool FC. While it's nearly impossible to sign him, the eyes of United should be on Jack Grealish, who has got better stats than the former. As Grealish's side, Aston Villa are one-point off the relegation zone, a reasonable amount of money would be enough to get the deal done during the January transfer window.

A player like Jack Grealish can offer first-class option in the attacking half. Solksjær could use him as a left-winger, a central midfielder, or a deep-line playmaker.

#1 Emre Can

Emre Can ticks all the boxes for United

If United are in the search for an experienced fellow to strengthen the defensive midfield region, no other prospect would be as reasonable as Emre Can. He has the valuable experience of playing in the Premier League and can play the role of a box-to-box midfielder as well as a hard-to-pass-by defensive midfielder. In spite of having all the attributes of a perfect defensive midfielder, Can saw him being dropped from the main Juventus squad at the hands of the current boss Maurizio Sarri. Lack of game-time in the 2019-20 season and an abysmal relationship between the player and the manager could see the German leave the city of Turin in the upcoming weeks of January.

If United sign Can, they could get the advantage of his experience and leadership qualities. It's expected that the 25-year-old German wouldn't cost Manchester United more than £25 million.