7 players Manchester United can sign in January

With the January transfer window almost upon us, it's time for clubs to take a good hard look at themselves and identify the areas in which they must seek to improve. With Manchester United still in the race for multiple trophies (wouldn't Jose Mourinho be in Brazil otherwise?), it's time they worked some good ol' January window magic... something on the lines of when they signed Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra in this most underrated of periods in the season.

Here then are seven players that Manchester United ought to target in January:

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#7 Alex Sandro

Alex Sandro is one of the more high-profile players agitating for a move in January

While it is heartening to see Luke Shaw back in the reckoning for the first XI, he still appears a long away from displacing Ashley Young at left-back for the Red Devils. And as impressive as Young has been in this makeshift role, United need to find a younger, more suitable contender for the starting left-back role if they are to seriously challenge for the trophies they want in their cabinet.

There few better left-backs out there than Alex Sandro.

Sandro clearly wants to leave Juventus - his relationship with Massimiliano Allegri having deteriorated to the point of no-return - but while his first choice destination appears to be Chelsea, United have enough in the treasury to convince the Brazilian otherwise.

His only drawback? He can't play in the Champions League this year.

#6 Andreas Pereira

Andreas Pereira would provide a much-needed help to Paul Pogba

Sure, this is not technically a new signing, considering Perreira has always been United's player but recalling the young Brazilian from his loan at Valencia seems to be a most sensible option at the moment.

In a midfield that cries out for some creativity when the flamboyant Paul Labile Pogba isn't around to provide it, Pereira would be a boon - his passing, vision and directness would be a welcome addition to a midfield that desperately needs it at times.

The only problem, Jose Mourinho didn't exactly like the manner in which he left -

"Andreas Pereira was a personal decision that I don't agree with," he said. "A decision I don't think honestly is the best decision for him, a decision that disappoints me a little bit, because I think he has the potential to be here fighting for a position, for opportunities, and fighting to be a Manchester United player. You have to be ready to fight for a position and I am a bit disappointed that he left."

#5 Carlos Soler

Carlos Soler takes on Dani Carvajal as Valencia hold Madrid to a draw.... at Madrid

Pereira's Valencia teammate, 20-year-old Carlos Soler is a first-choice pick for a Valencia team that is brimming with talent - ahead of Pereira in the pecking order, and he's caught United scouts' eyes with some scintillating displays for the high-flying Spanish side.

A consummate passer, Soler's vision and composure on the ball belie his young age and his tactical discipline would greatly endear him to a manager of Jose Mourinho's ilk. A deep-lying central midfielder he would also be able to cover for current Manchester United Player of the Year, Ander Herrera's, lack of form and while he may not be first choice immediately, the sheer quality he would add to the ranks and the potential he holds is enticing enough for United to go all in for the midfielder.

Valencia, though, are faring brilliantly in La Liga and with Soler's release clause at €80 million, it would seem unlikely that Los Che would buckle under the pressure United would put on them.

#4 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Ciro Immobile embraces Milinkovic-Savic after one of the Serb's trademark late goals

A 6'3" central midfielder who plays for Lazio, and Serbia, Milinkovic-Savic exploded to the forefront of top European sides everywhere with his breakthrough performances for Lazio this calendar year.

Powerful and direct with the ball, Milinkovic-Savic is the perfect-Mourinho footballer and at just 22, there is still room for great improvement. A central midfielder by trade, he would also share the creative load with Paul Pogba while still providing United with the defensive, and physical, solidity that Mourinho craves.

#3 Philipp Max

Philipp Max keeps tabs on Arjen Robben - not the easiest thing on the planet

The German left-back, who is pushing for a starting place in Joachim Low's 2018 squad, has had a great year at Augsburg and is, in fact, leading the assist charts for defenders across the top five leagues in Europe with 8 already this season.

Fast, athletic, and a fantastic crosser of the ball (evident from that assists column) Maxx would plug a massive hole in United's system... where even as good a stop-gap arrangement as Ashley Young can only be a temporary solution for a club of United's ambitions... and at a market value of €5 million (as per transfermarkt) he would be a right proper steal and exactly the kind of buy that could become a mainstay at United... (think Patrice Evra!)

#2 Leon Goretzka

Goretzka was brilliant for Germany in the FIFA Confederations Cup

The enigmatic German midfielder is exactly the kind of all-action, direct, footballer, that Jose Mourinho loves to have in his squad.

Tireless, fast, and with a tendency to pop up with a crucial goal or two, Goretzka seems destined to leave Schalke sooner rather than later, and with him refusing to sign a new contract, the German club may well decide to cash in on their biggest star before he walks away on a free next summer.

Considering this contract situation, United may actually get the brilliant German for around €25 million, he might well be the steal of the season.

#1 Joao Mario

Joao Maria is an integral part of the European Champions

Arguably the most likely to join United this window, Joao Mario has been linked with the Red Devils recently - a potential swap deal including the suddenly out-of-favour Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been mooted - and there's a good reason for it.

The Portuguese playmaker has been in-and-out of the high-flying Inter Milan squad, Luciano Spaletti implementing his rotation technique, but when he's played he's looked sharp - his vision, passing, and dribbling making him a menace in the final third. Mario's positional awareness and discipline would also make him a perfect player for Mourinho... and with his arrival, the creative burden currently shouldered by Paul Pogba could easily be shared with the Portuguese.