With Louis van Gaal in the hot seat, it makes this transfer window that much more intriguing. Here is a list of players he, and other potential Manchester United managers, should consider.
Louis van Gaal
With Louis van Gaal’s position being called into question of late, his footballing philosophy failing to impress in recent months and his team being labelled as boring; it looks increasingly likely that Van Gaal may not be in the hot seat at Old Trafford for much longer. However if van Gaal manages to make it to the January transfer window he needs to dip into the market to inject some quality that is clearly lacking from this Manchester United side. Here are three players the Dutchman should be looking at.
Karim Bellarabi
With all the possession and control of the game the one thing this Manchester United side under Louis van Gaal is lacking is pace and creativity – something that Bellarabi has in abundance. Never scared to take on his man, the Leverkusen winger has been terrorizing Bundesliga defences for the past two seasons.
Since the start of last season Bellarabi has scored 18 league goals, providing nine assists and creating 67 chances for team-mates along the way. He would likely bring what was hoped of Memphis Depay, direct running, flair and the ability to cut in and shoot from distance. He would also bring the balance needed to the right side of the attack that Van Gaal has been looking for — with the Mata as a false winger experiment seemingly starting to flounder after its initial success last season.
Kamil Glik
Although the 6″3 Poland international has only just penned a new deal at Torino, Manchester United are in need of a commanding centre-back who can partner the ever impressive Chris Smalling. Glik has been arguably the most impressive centre-back in the Serie A and is quite a goal threat from set-pieces, scoring seven goals for Torino last term.
Matteo Darmian and Glik formed an impressive partnership while at the Turin club and a move to Old Trafford would give the chance for the partnership to be reunited. Glik would likely give Smalling a permanent partner to play in front of David De Gea.
Manchester United’s title winning sides under Sir Alex were always born out of a successful centre back partnership, and Glik and Smalling would hark back to the days of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. While the signing will be more complicated thanks to the new contract, money talks and Manchester United have plenty of money.
Simone Zaza
Manchester United are in desperate need of a new striker to relieve some of the pressure off of Anthony Martial’s slim shoulders. Zaza of Juventus would be a great, cheap option to bring in as another striking option either on loan or for a fairly affordable price. With a thunderous and sometimes wand-like left foot, the Italian is an accomplished finisher and would be a good target man alternative. Zaza tactically is exactly what Van Gaal is looking for: a hard-working frontman who is the first line of defence in trying to win the ball back. He has the tactical understanding as well as the physical capacity to press intelligently and at the right moments.
Jose Mourinho
Since the “Special One” was sacked by Chelsea he has been continuously linked with United and thus taking over from his former mentor. If Louis van Gaal is to get his P45 for an early Christmas present, with Pep Guardiola in charge of Bayern until the end of the season and question marks over whether Ryan Giggs is ready – Mourinho does seem like the most likely replacement. However, with the current United squad not looking like one that would suit Mourinho, he would undoubtedly look at the January transfer window to start to mould this side into his image. These three players would be good places to start.
Michy Batshuayi
Mourinho often likes a strong, powerful and dominant striker to lead the line in his sides something that United are currently missing. One of the Portuguese manager’s most successful signings was Didier Drogba from Marseille who became a cult hero under him at Chelsea. A man with a similar skillset to Drogba is Marseilles’s current dangerman Michy Batshuayi. Batshuayi has scored 11 league goals for the Les Phocéens this season in an impressive showing.
Although he is a couple of inches smaller than the imposing Ivorian, Batshuayi’s game is reminiscent to that of Drogba’s; often bullying defenders before accelerating away and firing a thunderous shot past the goalkeeper. With Manchester United having only two recognised strikers Mourinho would surely be inclined to try his luck in repeating history.
Grzegorz Krychowiak
Mourinho is known for having two physical defensive midfielders to sit in front of his back four. While Schneiderlin, when he has played, has proved effective in breaking up play in the United midfield, the Red Devils could do with another ball playing enforcer to truly incorporate Mourinho’s defensive tactics.
Sevilla’s Grzegorz Krychowiak would be the perfect fit for a United side under Mourinho. Similar to Nemanja Matic in style and stature, Krychowiak made it into the La Liga team of the year because of his impressive performances and even ended up with more tackles and interceptions than Toni Kroos, Koke, and even Sergio Busquets. His ability to recover the ball is almost second to none.He would likely form an impressive partnership with Schneiderlin or any of the current United midfielders. Krychowiak shouldn’t just be pigeonholed as an enforcer as he is also impressive distributing the ball in the early phases of play and boasted an 80% passing accuracy. He, along with Mourinho’s tactics, would surely firm up United’s engine room that has been easily bypassed in recent weeks.
Alex Teixeira
Alex Teixeira was a man continuously linked with Chelsea under Mourinho and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Special One did try to lure him to Old Trafford if he was ever to take charge. With 22 goals in only 15 games it’s easy to see why he is being so heavily coveted, but the reason why Mourinho should bring the Brazilian to Manchester United is not because of his goals but because of his direct running. This current United side lacks someone who can carry the ball through the middle and try and unlock defences and this is something that Teixeira has a speciality in. Pace and agility in abundance Teixeira would give United another option when trying to unlock defences and if he could bring his current goalscoring form with him, he would certainly turn United’s fortunes around.
Ryan Giggs
Another possibility if Louis van Gaal gets the sack is that his assistant and United Legend Ryan Giggs will replace him. United fans – if Giggs does take the reigns – will hope that he will bring back the attacking and exciting play of old with him. Giggs would need to bring in some new signings to breathe some life into the team and produce the attacking football that everyone at United craves. Ryan Giggs should look at bringing these three players into the fold.
Sadio Mane
Manchester United were reportedly interested in Mane during the Summer transfer window after the deal for Pedro failed to materialise but were rebuffed by Southampton. Since then Mane has been one of the most impressive players in the Premier League this season with most of Southampton’s attacking playing going through the Senegalese international. With his pace, quick feet, good delivery and an eye for goal Mane is exactly what Giggs is looking to introduce into a Manchester United side under his leadership. It would reportedly cost United £25 million to secure his services but with his form and subsequently United’s lack of it it is a price they may need to meet.
Andrew Robertson
With Luke Shaw out for at least another couple of months and without a proper natural back up Ryan Giggs would be in the market for a cheap attacking back-up. Hull’s Andrew Robertson would be a great option to fill that position. As easily Hull’s most impressive player over the last two seasons, Robertson’s game is not that far from Shaw’s, always looking to overlap his fullback. He is also adept going the other way often making last ditch tackles. As Hull are fighting for promotion back to the Premier League it would probably cost United around £10 million for his services with potentially a few youngsters going the other way on loan.
Lucas Moura
The man who was continuously courted by Sir Alex, before eventually being put off by his £35 million asking price, is now reportedly available for a cut price £22 million. Finding regular playing time hard to come by in the French capital, under Ryan Giggs’ tutelage it would be the perfect time for him to finally arrive at Old Trafford. One of the fastest players in the world, Lucas Moura can be a one man counter attack if needed — which would come in handy under a team lead by the Welshman who would likely abandon LvG’s possession-obsessed style.
Lucas Moura is comfortable playing anywhere behind the striker and often dribbles past multiple players, something that has not been seen at the Theatre of Dreams since the days of Cristiano Ronaldo. Likewise Moura would bring back a bit of excitement to United’s play and would get United’s fans to the edge of their seats once again. In only 14 starts for PSG this season Lucas Moura has created 20 chances for his team-mates and scored four goals in Ligue 1. At United only Juan Mata can boast similar statistics. Given the chance Ryan Giggs would need to make it clear that Lucas Moura is a must buy for United.
