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Ole Gunnar Solskjær's sensational start to life at Manchester United has awoken the giant of the English game. Solskjær's six wins in his first six games is a new club record, but what has been most impressive about these victories is the manner in which these games were won.
A refreshing brand of attacking football has been praised by fans and media alike for being more in line with the ethos of the 20-time English Champions. The team relieved from the defensive instructional constraints of Jose Mourinho seems more free and willing to positively and confidently approach games. Every player from World Cup winner Paul Pogba to English hotshot Marcus Rashford have found great form since the departure of Jose Mourinho.
But while this start is commendable can we assume that the Red Devils have somehow become world beaters overnight? Putting things into perspective, four of Manchester United's five league victories, while impressive, came against Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town, Bournemouth and Newcastle United.
All four of these teams have lost to every single team in the top 6 in the Premier League this season. In fact, every single point Manchester United has lost this season has been to a team who has taken points from another top 6 team.
So even the now struggling Arsenal has dispatched all of these teams including putting four goals past the final challenger Tottenham. In that Tottenham game, despite the United victory Spurs dominated for long periods only to be denied by the heroics of David De Gea.
De Gea's 11 saves in the second half alone is a season-high. Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino even said after the match he was happy with his team's performances at Wembley in spite of the defeat and compared his mood to his dissatisfaction at the performance at Old Trafford in the first encounter this season.
Amazingly at Old Trafford Jose Mourinho's United out-shot and out-possessed Tottenham. In Wembley, United had fewer shots and possession under Solskjær. This 1-0 victory, as well as the ease of previous fixtures, may have masked some of the apparent deficiencies the club still has.
The mood in the camp is good, the momentum is excellent but are all the issues solved? Is this team now strong enough to compete for trophies? To even chase for the top four? Let's look at some players Manchester United can bring in this Winter window to help with those objectives.
Kalidou Koulibaly
The Senegalese international is number one on this list. He has been linked with Manchester United for several seasons now for obvious reasons. This mountain of a man has been Napoli's rock since 2014 and has made the Serie A team of the Year for the last three seasons. Considering the quality of central defenders in Italy that is quite some achievement.
Jose Mourinho practically begged for a central defender in the summer and was linked to almost every available option during that window. In the end, the window was shut and the void remained opened. A void, quickly exposed this season with United's defence practically leaking goals. Has these run of games lessened the need of such a player or does Manchester United still need improvement at this position?
Whatever Ole decides Koulibaly is still a player that at 27 years old has the potential to have a Virgil van Dijk effect on any team. The player won't come cheap and would probably be the most expensive defender of all time if a deal is done. Support from Paul Pogba over a race-related incident in Italy increased rumours that Koulibaly might be on his way to Manchester.
Also see : Fantasy Premier League , Fantasy Premier League Tips, EPL Transfer News
Florian Thauvin
Manchester United certainly has quality attacking players but the majority of these players are stronger with their right foot which makes the attack somewhat unbalanced. Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata are the exceptions but neither of these players are natural wingers. The lack of a left-footed winger is something the club has been crying out for.
With Thauvin you have a 25-year old World Cup winner who is left-footed, tricky and has an eye for goals. Thauvin has done everything he can at Marseille and might be ready for a second crack in the Premier League. As Salah and De Bruyne have proven the Premier League the second time out could be one of great profit.
Interestingly the winger made his Premier League debut at Old Trafford vs Manchester United for Newcastle. Paul Pogba will certainly welcome a player who he has played with since he was a youngster. Thauvin and Pogba were both stars of France's 2013 U-20 World Cup winning team.
Ryan Sessegnon
While it will be difficult to convince the 18-year-old to leave Fulham during a tough relegation battle, the England youth player has tremendous potential and can be beneficial on two fronts. His attacking capability saw him score 16 goals last season, a season that saw him scoop both the Championship Player of Year and the Championship Young Player of the Year awards.
With Luke Shaw being the only specialized left-back at Manchester United Sessegnon can also act as cover for that position as well. A left-footed player capable of playing on both the left or right flanks, his age combined with his versatility makes him one that can rotate in and out of the squad.
With Fulham currently favoured to go down, the deal might be more doable in the summer window. Manchester United will have competition from all of the big 6 in England as each has been linked with the teenager at some point so far in his career.
Milan Škriniar
Inter Milan's Slovakian defender has all the tools needed to be a good Premier League centre back. Comfortable with the ball at his feet, good in the air and aggressive in the tackle, Skriniar will certainly add to the quality of options currently in the back for Manchester United. Diego Godin is close to joining Inter Milan if his Atletico Madrid contract runs out so the Italian club looks to be planning a potential loss of Škriniar.
With his price tag going up each game he still should be a cheaper option than Koulibaly. With the Champions League transfer rules changed Skriniar would be available for Manchester United in Europe as well, despite competing in the competition for Inter earlier in the season. His effort and potential leadership qualities are reasons why comparisons to former Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic cannot go away.
David Neres
Yet another left-footed player on this list, Neres won't be moving to Manchester United as the finished product but the Brazilian U-20 international is something different to the other players. His natural flair and direct running can unsettle any Premier League defence.
Manchester United throughout the window has been closely linked with Douglas Costa, the full Brazilian international from Juventus to fill this right-sided need. However, Costa turns 29 next year and is not exactly in the best of forms in Italy. The trickster has yet to score a single goal throughout the entire season. For the transfer fee he will demand the risk seems too great and could potentially have an Alexis Sanchez feel.
Manchester United at this time does not need to dive into another quick fix and with Neres you are getting a younger cheaper version of Douglas Costa's potential or even greater. The fans will be more patient in Neres and allow him the space to make mistake and develop alongside the rest of the squad.
