The list of players linked with Manchester United is always long. The Red Devils have the biggest fanbase in the world, and that is reflected in the media attention they receive. Countless world-class players are always linked with a move to the red side of Manchester, and having looked at two players who they could buy in the upcoming transfer window, it seems necessary to discuss two more players who Manchester United may sign this January.
Who Manchester United May Sign This January
Max Aarons
Having impressed with boyhood club Norwich City last season, there was plenty of interest in Max Aarons when the summer transfer window opened in 2020. The likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur were reportedly considering a move for the Englishman, while Spanish giants Barcelona were also thinking of signing him.
Despite the hefty interest, the Canaries were able to keep their young right back heading into the new season.
Now, though, Manchester United are considering a move for the youngster.
Signing the 21-year old could make sense for the Red Devils, but only if other transfers were to occur.
In terms of the benefits that the transfer could potentially have, bringing in Aarons would provide competition for starting right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, something that would only benefit both players.
The former Crystal Palace fullback who moved to Manchester in 2019 has proven his worth since joining, with some truly outstanding defensive work. Despite this, his attacking output is not particularly strong, although it is certainly improving, and some aspects of his game, like positioning, also leave something to be desired.
Signing Aarons would help this situation in multiple ways. Not only would it mean that United have a second top-class and Premier League proven option at right-back, someone who could help more going forwards, but they would also have someone to provide serious competition for Wan-Bissaka’s starting place. As we have seen with Luke Shaw, the competition brought by Alex Telles has transformed his game, and he now looks like one of the league’s best left-backs. Similarly, some quality competition could be what Wan-Bissaka needs to take his game to the next level.
Equally, a move for Aarons would make sense if Brandon Williams leaves the Theatre of Dreams on loan.
The Englishman burst onto the first-team scene last season but has struggled for game-time this campaign. There have been rumours of a move to Southampton, as well as a host of other clubs, but if he left there would be no backup to Wan-Bissaka at right-back. The next best natural right-back at the club would arguably be youth prospect Ethan Laird, although Victor Lindelof and Axel Tuanzebe are both capable of moving to the right from their prefered central defence.
Another young United right-back Diogo Dalot is doing well on loan with Serie A leaders AC Milan, so there would be minimal room for Aarons without selling a right-sided fullback.
David Alaba
Manchester United’s defence is, almost without a doubt, the weakest part of their game currently. While Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire have created a solid partnership in central defence, it is nothing special, and has been prone to errors. The addition of an experienced defender like David Alaba could greatly help that. He is only 28 years old so has much time left at the top of his game, but he also has an enormous amount of experience in football’s most elite competitions.
The Austrian defender has been a starter at Bayern Munich since 2011, and has played every year in the Champions League since. He has also won countless trophies with the German champions, and that is exactly the sort of experience that United need in their young squad.
Alaba is more used to playing as a left-back, but has moved to the middle of the defence in recent years. He would be a better fit in the Red Devils’ squad as the latter, with Shaw and Telles already fighting to be United’s starting fullback on the left-hand side.
The two-time Champions League winner’s contract runs out in the summer, so Unitd could potentially sign him for a small fee in January. Alternatively, and the more likely option, is that they agree to a contract this month and Alaba joins for free in the summer.
Despite this, there are many clubs interested in the defender’s signature, and persuading him to move to Old Trafford could be a challenge.
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