Even though Manchester United were English football’s top spenders with a total of around £150m splashed to land new talent over the summer, the club are still in need of additions.
Some likened their business to a patient in need of heart surgery being given breast implants, with the majority of the signings made addressing non-existent concerns up front, while the engine room, the real problem, was left untouched.
Louis van Gaal and co did attempt to get in targets to sort out their midfield and centre-back problems, and it looks likely that there will be efforts to get such deals over the line in January if results continue to disappoint.
Here are FIVE players we at FFC Towers believe United could/should go for in the New Year.
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CLICK ON MATS HUMMELS TO REVEAL THE FIVE
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Kevin Strootman
Although Arturo Vidal was the man United chased for much of the summer, rumours often suggested that Strootman is actually the player LVG wants. The former Holland boss made the Roma enforcer a key member of his Oranje team in the run up to the World Cup, and was left gutted when injury woes forced him out of contention for the trip to Brazil.
A deal during the last window was deemed as not doable given his fitness concerns, but there has been talk of a £20m+ offer for Strootman when January roles around. With energy, tenacity and quality in his locker, the 24-year-old appears to be the major missing link in the club’s engine room.
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Mats Hummels
Rumours of a late move for the World Cup winner during the transfer window just gone have surfaced recently, and despite the disappointment United may re-visit Hummels in 2015. The Dortmund centre-back is seen as one of the very best players in his position on the planet, and would certainly bulk out to the club’s shaky rearguard.
BVB are desperate to keep him, but, as has been shown in recent years, they will sell for the right price. Hummels himself could also be tempted by English football, but much depends on United’s chances of a top four finish.
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Arturo Vidal
Perhaps the great transfer saga of 2014 could rumble on again next year. United chased Vidal for much of the summer, but failed to get a deal over the line, despite claims that a contract had been agreed with the player. Juventus held firm to keep their midfield general in Turin, but an offer of £40m+ in January could sway them.
The Chile international has the barnstorming playing style not present in any of the Red Devils’ current options, and could be the man to turn Van Gaal’s troops back into title contenders.
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Sami Khedira
If United are looking to cut back on their spending, Khedira could be a cost-effective option to plug their midfield gap. The German ace – who helped his nation to World Cup glory – is currently in the last year of his contract, and looks likely to run down his deal ahead of a Bosman move.
However Real Madrid are likely to accept offers of below £10m in January just to get some cash in for their man, which could allow United to pick up a bargain. Not a natural holder, Khedira offers something different to other targets on Van Gaal’s radar thanks to his tireless style and box-to-box nature.
Marco Reus
Even though Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao have been signed to give United more guile up top, Reus could be a target for the club in January. The German star is one of Europe’s premier attacking talents and is expected to leave Dortmund in the not too distant future as interest in his signature mounts.
A £20m release clause will kick in next summer, but United could pounce early to tempt the Bundesliga giants with a bigger offer. With Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City loitering, bagging Reus while he’s available may be something LVG would consider.
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