'%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)
Twelve matchdays have already gone, and the Premier League points table has started to take shape. While Liverpool have taken the top spot with 34 points, surprise packages Leicester City and Chelsea have made the next two spots their own.
The likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have begun their 2019-20 Premier League campaign in a disappointing manner and are nowhere near the top-four spots.
Teams who haven't done well so far due to lack of squad depth would certainly be looking to take advantage of the upcoming January transfer window.There is one team which will be looking to beef up their squad during this odd point of the season. That club is none other than Manchester United.
The Red Devils are currently at the 7th spot and have garnered only 16 points which see them nine points behind the 4th-placed Manchester City. Despite having some long-term injuries, United's defence has done a pretty decent job. Their offensive department has massively failed to impress due to inconsistency and lack of creativity in midfield.
In order to bolster the squad depth, United are believed to go all out for a forward during the upcoming January transfer market. According to a few outlets, Mario Mandzukic could be that winter transfer target for the Old Trafford outfits.
While some United fans are desperate to see the Croatian at their favourite club, some are not seemingly pleased by that rumour. Here we discuss why Manchester United shouldn't sign Mario Mandzukic in winter.
#1 Injury-prone
For Maurizio Sarri's Juventus, Mandzukic is yet to make a Serie A appearance this season. As his last start for the club came against K-League All Stars in a pre-season friendly a few months ago, it is quite impossible to gather information about his current form.
In this ongoing season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already suffered a lot due to a number of long-term injuries. These injuries have clearly negatively impacted easily winnable matches. Star players like Paul Pogba and Luke Shaw, who are considered as the two of United's best players, have missed more than a month of football due to their respective injuries.
Signing a new striker in January is essential, but United should look at Mandzukic's injury history before going for the striker in the winter transfer market. Last season, the Croatian received five different injuries which certainly could be a matter of discussion inside the United's camp.
#2 Zero experience of English football
Some might argue, but most football fans would consider Premier League as the most athletic league in the world.
There is a perceptible difference when it comes to playing in the . Signing a player who has never played in the Premier League is a calculated risk.
Mandzukic, who has become an experienced campaigner by playing for seven different clubs, certainly lacks experience of English football and taking him on in January might be a dangerous move.
Although United did three well-scouted signings last summer, the club has received criticism for recruiting under-performing players over the last few years. The manager could face the same questions about the club's recruitment procedure again if they sign the 33-year old Croatian and the money goes in vain without any constructive outcome.
#3 Other viable options are available in the market
Mandzukic, who may be beyond his glory days spent with Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Juventus, is reportedly desperate to leave the current Serie A winners this January and wants to make a move to Manchester United. But United have been linked with others.
They are believed to be a serious admirer of former Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko, who has got loads of Premier League experience. Although both Mandzukic and Dzeko are pushing 33, it's Dzeko's must-needed Premier League experience that makes him a more viable option than his counterpart.
During his five-year spell with City, the Bosnia and Herzegovina striker had added 50 goals to his name. Edin joined the Roma side permanently in 2016 and has already made more than 100 appearances for the Italian side.
United are also said to be linked with Leeds-born Norwegian sensation Erling Braut Haaland, who could be a long-term successor at the club. Given that the Salzburg striker is not available in the January market, Ole has to wait until the next summer for him and he may be looking to add some experience to the roster with the signing of an experienced campaigner for a short-term fix.
