What Man Utd's squad could look like after dream January transfer window

Manchester United’s squad could be much improved should their dream January transfer window take place.

United have regressed this season amid a spate of injuries and poor form plaguing several of their key players.

The Old Trafford club crashed out of the Champions League, winning just one match and finishing bottom of Group A, behind Galatasaray, FC Copenhagen and Bayern Munich.

Ten Hag’s side were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle at the Round of 16 stage while their performances in the Premier League have largely been poor. Indeed, United lost 13 games in all competitions between the start of the campaign and Christmas, the most endured by the club in that period since the 1930/31 season.

While United are unlikely to be super busy ahead in the January transfer window, given the Premier League will still be ratifying Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent investment into the club, there are a few players they have been linked with that could improve their fortunes.

Here is a list of potential signings that together, would constitute a dream transfer window. Of course, some of these signings are more likely than others.

Defence

It seems likely United will sign at least one new central defender, given Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire's uncertain futures and Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans both out-of-contract next summer.

Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo is among those United have been widely linked with. While Tottenham are also said to be interested in the French international, United may have the advantage over their Premier League rivals given Nice is among Ratcliffe’s roster of football clubs.

Elsewhere, the Manchester Evening News claimed in the summer that Bayer Leverkusen’s defensive pair Jeremie Frimpong and Edmond Tapsoba were both of interest.

While they would provide considerable competition to United’s current ranks, it’s unlikely either would leave Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title charge mid-season.

Midfield

Kobbie Mainoo’s emergence will have lessened the immediate need to sign another midfielder, however, United have been linked with 22-year-old Belgian Amadou Onana ahead of January.

Here is United's potential team on February 1st should bold signings be made and the form of key players improve (LineUp Builder)

Onana made waves in his debut season in English football after a £30million move from Lille, and he has allegedly caught the eye of the Premier League’s top clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal and United.

Such a transfer is perhaps unrealistic mid-season, however, with Everton looking to stave off the threat of relegation after a 10-point deduction for financial breaches.

Forwards

United’s main issue in the Premier League this season has been goalscoring and Ten Hag will be keen to bring in another striker to lighten the load on 20-year-old Rasmus Hojlund.

Reports in Germany have claimed United are considering a move for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee in the January transfer window, after the Netherlands Under-21 international’s tally of seven goals in 17 Bundesliga appearances.

Zirkzee joined Bologna from Bayern Munich in August 2022 but the Bundesliga champions reportedly retain a buyback option worth €22million (£19million).

United were also linked with Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy who has scored 17 goals in the Bundesliga this season, however, interest appears to have cooled in the Guinea international.

Ten Hag’s side are also said to be keen on Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, but both of those prospective transfers would cost a fortune United are unlikely to pay.

Topics: Football, Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Transfers, Premier League

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.