Potential Options in January

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So Utd look like they might need to make some moves in January to patch up this squad which has been left short but what should they do?

There's 2 rumours today

1) Utd will return to Juventus and look to buy Mandzukic
2) Utd will look to tempt Barca into selling or even loaning out Ousmane Dembele

Both I think would be sensible deals that on paper are possible as both players are surplus to requirements at their current clubs but there's risks with both they're notoriously difficult characters and both have struggled for form in the last 12 months which is why they're being allowed to leave.

With Euro 2020 in the summer Dembele I think would be highly motivated to perform because he's not currently in the squad if Utd could agree a loan with an option to buy that would be a fantastic deal on paper but we all know there's some off the field issues with Dembele do Utd want to risk bringing that baggage to Manchester. However, a bit like Sanchez when he got to Arsenal if you can make him feel like the star man he could be your main guy even if he is hard work at times.

I think it'll be hard to find a permanent solution to our midfield problem unless there are players who are being frozen out at top clubs if they're worried about missing euro 2020 would they force moves?

In terms of our current players I wouldn't be surprised if Jones or Rojo left if Bailly got fit. If Utd did secure a centre mid replacement would they sell Matic if offers came? Not sure even though he's past his best I don't think we can let him go. I'd say Utd are pretty open to offers for any of our players apart from those who've signed new deals in the last 12 months but I think the only ones we can really let go in January would be defenders.
 
I can’t see a great deal being done in January in truth. If Dembele became available on a loan with an option to buy then we should snap that one up. Not had the greatest of times with Barca but there is a hugely talented player in there.

We definitely need another striker in, someone who knows where the goal is and can contribute a few goals in the run in. Can’t believe we didn’t push for the Mandzukic deal harder if we were in for him. He would have been an ideal option in these injury times.

I’ve just read that we were scouting Sandro Tonali last night when Brescia were playing Juve. Heard pretty good things about him from what I’ve read so he could be an option.

Other than that I can’t see many outgoings or incomings - think it’ll be saved for next season unless a cant turn it down deal came along like Dembele.
 
It's to early to really tell now but Utd need to be in position to push the button if things come up making sure they know what might be on the market.

You are unlikely to take a starting player from any team in Europe in January unless that club is in serious financial trouble and you are willing to over pay for them or bringing someone from MLS, China or South America as their league seasons run on difference schedules.

From Europe you are probably looking at loan deals for players who are unsettled at current clubs or clubs looking to sell players who are running down contracts. Of the big clubs the teams who have a lot of these players are Juventus and Spurs if I was Utd I'd be finding out who Juventus are looking to sell in January (they can't keep everyone) then trying to get something done early with them if the right guy is available and prepared to come.

As for the Spurs lads keep the phone on and wait for them to call you as I think Levy will panic and try to flog one or two in January if he can't get them to sign new deals before then.
 
Ibra for half a season? His contract runs out in December from what I read, obviously he wouldn’t want to come as a bit part option but I think it could be worth a punt for a few months.
 
Does Dembele play right or left?

Both he’s considered to be two footed but from memory he played mostly from the right when he was at Dortmund.
 
Ibra for half a season? His contract runs out in December from what I read, obviously he wouldn’t want to come as a bit part option but I think it could be worth a punt for a few months.

I think the issue is Ibra will want to be number 1 he’s never going to be a happy squad player surely we need to give Martial a proper run at CF to see if he can do the job. I also think the MLS standard is very poor he’d struggle to have much impact in the PL he could barely move 3 years ago.
 
Diego Costa?

Rumoured to want to leave Atletico. Short term fix?
 
Diego Costa?

Rumoured to want to leave Atletico. Short term fix?

To expensive and way to much baggage plus his form back at Atletico has been awful since he went back it's something like 5 goals in 18 months.
 
Diego Costa?

Rumoured to want to leave Atletico. Short term fix?
Ideally no but his aggression would probably help this squad because in truth most of the guys we have are a bunch of saps who don’t look like they have the fight in them for a battle.
 
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One of the reporters for the athletic (don't normally get involved in transfer gossip) suggests Utd may go back for Mandzukic in January as a short term solution.

I think they'll be going big for this Haaland kid next summer issue with that is if he keeps scoring at the rate he is then he'll cost an absolute bomb.
 
One of the reporters for the athletic (don't normally get involved in transfer gossip) suggests Utd may go back for Mandzukic in January as a short term solution.

I think they'll be going big for this Haaland kid next summer issue with that is if he keeps scoring at the rate he is then he'll cost an absolute bomb.
I think there will be lots of interest in Haaland for sure but I do agree that the kid is gonna be a star, think we should be doing all we can for him. However, with three young guys like Martial, Rashford and Greenwood, do you think we will splash out on another young striker? Not so sure. Think we’ll be going all out for Sancho and solving our midfield issues.

Agree on Mandzukic, think he would be an ideal short term option.
 
I think there will be lots of interest in Haaland for sure but I do agree that the kid is gonna be a star, think we should be doing all we can for him. However, with three young guys like Martial, Rashford and Greenwood, do you think we will splash out on another young striker? Not so sure. Think we’ll be going all out for Sancho and solving our midfield issues.

Agree on Mandzukic, think he would be an ideal short term option.

Guess it depends if they think they can get Sancho I think with him bigger and better options will be available to him if he has another season like he did last year. Madrid, Barca, Bayern etc will be looking at him so will be hard for us to compete with that. Story is they sounded him out through his agents last season and were told no but it wasn’t a no never it was more a no for know.

If they don’t think Martial is good enough investing in another specialist CF isn’t a problem if Martial doesn’t like that he can either fight for his spot or leave. If he wants to be the number 9 then we need to see 20+ goals from him

Greenwood still has years on the clock I think he can play from the right side very effectively and he might have to do time out there before going into the middle.

Next summer is all about sorting midfield and attack we can’t keep waiting for youth these youngsters they need to lock down their positions now if they can’t utd have to seriously consider other options.

Biggest pressure is on Rashford he needs to be a master of one position rather than a jack of all trades it’s early doors but right now Martial has moved ahead of him as the CF and James is nudging him out of the LF slot. Still early days but his lack of progress as a young player is becoming a concern it needs to click quickly with him and Martial.
 
I think our next purchases should be Sancho, Rice and or Maddison, and Haland.

I'm not one for old age short term buys.
 

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