What would be the perfect outcome for United this January?
There are now just weeks remaining until the January transfer window opens, with Premier League managers likely to be putting the finishing touches to their plans for the month, both in terms of incomings and outgoings after having the first half of the season to assess the areas of weakness in their squads.
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Manchester United’s exciting post January XI
Manchester United will be no different, with some reports recently suggesting that Louis van Gaal will be given a £150 million warchest next summer, showing the degree to which United are prepared to invest to return to the top table of European football.
This would be a dream January outcome for the Red Devils, with three players coming in and three departing:
In) Ezequiel Garay (Zenit St. Petersburg)
Ezequiel Garay is the player that Manchester United really should have signed this summer, but they didn’t act quickly enough and allowed the Argentine international to move from Benfica to Zenit. If they really wanted him, however, United could perhaps prise him away from Russia in January, which would be a shrewd move, particularly as he would be arriving to partner international teammate Marcos Rojo.
Out) Chris Smalling
Sometimes it is time to accept that you’re going to have to cut your losses on a certain player, and United have reached that stage with Chris Smalling. For every good performance he puts in there are two or three bad ones – it would pay for the Red Devils to let him go and put more input into the development of the likes of Phil Jones and Paddy McNair.
In) Kevin Strootman (AS Roma)
Despite some excellent recent performances from the likes Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini, all of whom have stepped up to the plate for Louis van Gaal, United could still do with a creative central midfielder who is capable of making them tick – Strootman is that man.
Out) Ashley Young
Another player who has put in some reasonable performances for Manchester United and his manager recently is winger Ashley Young, but the former Aston Villa man isn’t really up to scratch at Old Trafford and United should be looking to sell him whilst they can still recoup some funds.
In) Martin Odegaard (Stromsgodset)
Despite some genuine issues at the back, United do not to make huge investment into their first team options in January, meaning that they may be able to dedicate some serious funds to securing Martin Odegaard, potentially the most exciting teenager in world football, ahead of Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Out) Anderson
If there is a point to Anderson’s continued presence at Old Trafford, we’re not entirely sure what it is – time to get rid at any cost.