'%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,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAFAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFAABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABf/aAAgBAQAAAAAcL//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX/2gAIAQIQAAAAQ//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH/2gAIAQMQAAAAf//EAB0QAAICAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAgQFEQAxQTL/2gAIAQEAAT8Aq4HF4uhQv0KS4NhZKGlhLC4BmvfnrwcZkmhkhGCwNnQ0ef/EABsRAAIBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAAIEBRES/9oACAECAQE/AMQum46LRuf/xAAXEQEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAMS/9oACAEDAQE/ANJUT//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After securing the services of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho in the summer, Manchester United were widely viewed as Premier League title contenders. They got off to a decent start to the season but it has since derailed. Their dip in form has led to the sacking of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Manchester United need to strengthen in the January transfer window
Jadon Sancho has taken some time to hit his stride at Manchester United. Raphael Varane's injury issues have seen him miss some very important games. Despite all his goals and rescue acts, Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival has not exactly been a blessing for Manchester United on many counts.
The Red Devils have now appointed master tactician Ralf Rangnick as interim manager for the rest of the 2021-22 season. If Rangnick is to transform this Manchester United side, he will need to be backed in the January transfer window. A lot of big decisions needs to be made at the club over the coming weeks.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five players Manchester United could sign in the 2022 January transfer window.
#5 Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
24-year-old RB Leipzig winger Christopher Nkunku's name is reportedly among a list of players that Ralf Rangnick will recommend to the Manchester United board. The versatile Frenchman can play anywhere across the frontline and has been in sublime form in the 2021-22 season.
He has scored 13 goals and provided nine assists in 20 appearances across all competitions for the Bundesliga outfit so far this term. Nkunku has reportedly been on Manchester United's radar for a couple of years now. They could really use his presence in an otherwise crowded but largely tepid midfield.
Nkunku can play as a winger or as an attacking midfielder and could be a worthy addition to this Manchester United setup. If they can offload players like Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard in January, they can easily find the money to secure the RB Leipzig man's services as well.
#4 Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Manchester United had reportedly come close to signing Kieran Trippier in the summer. The Red Devils currently have Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot as their two options at right-back. Wan-Bissaka is poor in an attacking sense while Dalot's defensive capabilities are suspect.
As things stand, Wan-Bissaka is undroppable owing to his defensive qualities. But even though he is good in one-on-one situations and at keeping up with pacy players, his positioning is poor. So an experienced right-back could be just what the doctor ordered at Manchester United.
AS claim that the Red Devils retain their interest in Trippier and have now decided to defer to the transfer plans of Ralf Rangnick. The 31-year-old has one and a half years remaining on his contract with Atletico Madrid.
He is unlikely to cost Manchester United a fortune but it remains to be seen if the Rojiblancos will be open to selling him in January.
#3 Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig)
Having served as their sporting director, Manchester United's interim manager Ralf Rangnick is well aware of the depth of the talent that the RB Leipzig squad possesses. Malian midfielder Amadou Haidara is the latest player to be linked with Manchester United.
According to reports, the Red Devils are looking to reinforce their midfield as Paul Pogba's future hangs in the balance. The Frenchman is likely to leave the club this summer as a free agent. Haidara is not a flair player like Pogba but his work both on and off the ball and the energy he can bring to the side make him a great prospect.
He is a very good dribbler and is also strong and athletic. Haidara is also known for his progressive passing and ranks fourth in the Bundesliga for forward passes this season. The 23-year-old is also familiar with playing in a double midfield pivot and would thus be a great fit for the Red Devils.
In 2019, Haidara even revealed that Manchester United was his dream club.
“My dream club is Manchester United. I will fight with all my strength to one day play for that club.”
So this is a move that could just go over the line easier than one would think.
#2 Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan)
A good holding midfielder is the need of the hour at Manchester United. Marcelo Brozovic is one of the best in the business when it comes to that. The Croatia international's current contract with Inter Milan expires next summer.
Plenty of European giants like Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and even Newcastle United are keeping tabs on the 29-year-old. Brozovic played an important role in Inter Milan's Serie A triumph last season.
So even though he might be a little too old for Manchester United, he could be a great stopgap signing. Given Inter Milan's financial troubles, they could very well be open to selling him for whatever they get in January as well.
#1 Franck Kessie (AC Milan)
The Rossoneri's combative midfielder Franck Kessie is another top player who is set to become a free agent next summer. Manchester United have first-hand experience of how good Kessie is after coming up against him in the Europa League last term.
Though United thumped AC Milan, Kessie put on a good show over the two legs. The 24-year-old joined the Serie A giants from Atalanta in 2017. In 200 appearances across all competitions for the Rossoneri, Kessie has scored 32 goals and provided 16 assists.
There will be a lot of competition to sign him in the 2022 summer transfer window. Kessie would also not want to leave AC Milan halfway through the season as they are in with a chance of winning the Serie A title this term. However, if Manchester United can table a lucrative offer in January, they can get him.
AC Milan could be tempted to cash in on him. Manchester United's season needs saving and they need players who can come in intent on proving a point. The Ivorian international is the kind of personality they need at the club right now.
