'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
6th in the Premier League and out of the League Cup already. 28 goals scored, 26 conceded from 16 games this season. 16 points behind bitter rivals and current league leaders Liverpool. It has been a gruesome first half of the season for Manchester United this time and there are hardly any signs to indicate that things will drastically improve.
Too many times this season, United have been undone by slack defending, lack of pressing in the midfield and absence of activity from the right wing. Then there is the small problem of a lack of goals - Manchester City have scored 17 more goals in the same number of games! Too many times this season, it has been stressed that this current squad is not good enough to compete for the League as well as in Europe and the January transfer window offers Manchester United an opportunity to make amends.
As is usual in this stage of the season, United are linked with a host of names already so far, however, there are four current positions where United need reinforcements. These four areas have been the crux of all problems at Old Trafford this season and United desperately need to fix these issues now. Read on to find out the 4 signings that can transform Manchester United's season.
#4 Center back - Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)
Estimated Price - £90m
This position has been United's weakest point this season. Jose wanted to bring Alderweireld from Tottenham in the summer, but a deal never materialized. What comes as a shock is that the same set of players had managed to keep the most clean sheets last season, letting in just 28 goals in the Premier League, only 1 more than league leaders Manchester City! Depending on them to deliver this season too, has not worked yet, and it is too big a risk to contemplate finishing the season with the current crop.
Besides the probability of jeopardizing United's season, it could also hamper United's chances of keeping David De Gea at Old Trafford. As such, United need a defender who is solid at the back, while also being good with the ball. They require a leader in defense and they need to look no further than Kalidou Koulibaly.
The Senegalese is a no-nonsense defender, who is quick, strong and has an imposing presence at the back. Yet he is not just all brawn, there is an elegant side to him too. Koulibaly is good with the ball at his feet, has a good passing range and is extremely versatile. He can play across the back four and also in a back three; he has even excelled as a defensive midfielder. He is the ideal player for Manchester United, however, he will not come cheap.
#3 Defensive Midfielder - Ruben Neves (Wolves)
Estimated Price - £40m
Manchester United have the 6th lowest tackles and the 3rd lowest interceptions in the league this season. There are no United players among the top ten midfielders with the most interceptions in Premier League so far; the only United player in the top 20 in that list is Ander Herrera, who is at 17th with 21 interceptions.
Nemanja Matic, who is supposed to be the steel in the midfield, has registered just 15 interceptions this season! Herrera also has the most tackles in the United team - 24, but it is not enough to be even among the top 20 among the midfielders in the Premier League. Nemanja Matic has 21 tackles and his loss of form has cost United dearly. As such, it is time that United look at a replacement for the Serbian, someone who has the energy and the aggression that could help United win the midfield battle.
Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves would be an ideal fit at Old Trafford. He has 35 tackles, with a 51% tackle success rate and 29 interceptions this season in the Premier League. He has already scored 2 goals from 15 games and averages 57 passes per game. He is just 21 years old and as such will suit United's requirements. If he does come to Old Trafford, he will provide the Red Devils with much-needed energy in the middle.
#2 Right Winger - Ivan Perisic (Inter Milan)
Estimated Price - £45m
The right side of the Manchester United attack has been asking for reinforcement for quite some time right now. Most of United's attacking play originates from the left side and it often makes them a little one dimensional while going forward. It is only in the recent games with the advent of Diogo Dalot and his mesmerizing crosses that United have realized how much better it would have been to have a proper player in that right wing position.
Mourinho has tried Juan Mata, Lingard, Rashford and even Alexis Sanchez on that side, however, none of them have been able to excel in that position. Mata has been the pick of the lot, but his tendency to drift inside - he is, after all, a fabulous No. 10 - means that there's a lot left to be desired from that position.
This is precisely why the name of Ivan Perisic brings tears to the eyes of many Manchester United fans. The Croatian would have been perfect for that role and he was in the United radar in the past two summers. Manchester United should do everything in their power to bring Perisic to Old Trafford. He would be fit in nicely to this team and would bring so much class and abilities to Old Trafford.
#1 Striker - Ciro Immobile (Lazio)
Estimated Price - £50m
Romelu Lukaku has been experiencing one of the worst seasons of his career and the situation at Manchester United is so dire that there is no one to snatch away the Belgian's place and relegate him to the bench. Rashford was tried through the middle, but the youngster's energy could not make up for his lack of experience and poor decision making. Sanchez had a couple of runs through the middle, but it was nothing to be excited about.
Martial's best position is on the left side. As such, Manchester United need to sign a striker who can compete with Lukaku and can work in tandem with the Belgian when required. And Lazio's Ciro Immobile would be the perfect man to bring to Old Trafford.
The Italian was fantastic last season, scoring 41 goals from 47 games. He is almost 29 right now and has experience on his side. This season, Immobile has already scored 11 goals from 19 games in all competitions and also has 5 assists to his name.
He will also be available for selection in the Champions League, which should be an added bonus for Manchester United. If the Red Devils manage to bring him to Old Trafford, getting goals might not be a problem anymore.
