The 2022 January transfer window is a very interesting one for Manchester United as they come into it with an interim manager who might well be the director of football next season…? It therefore means that the title of interim manager should not prevent any signings being made and after watching the first part of this season, they could do with a few.

The Season so Far

Manchester United sit 10th in the table and after signing Sancho, Varane and Ronaldo this summer are actually no closer to the top 3 of Manchester City, Liverpool or Chelsea. In fact you could argue they are actually now in a worse position. Ronaldo (36) is a signing to win now, Retaining Cavani (34) and capturing the experienced Varane are all deals with winning now in mind. Sancho’s capture was one that as of yet has failed to succeed but could be down to both lack of game time and a playing style/system that did not suit him.

As a club United have been dysfunctional and in lack of direction for many years now. The club currently have 7 wide men at the club which gives insight into how unbalanced they currently are. Even after bringing in Varane in the summer I feel they still need another Centre back whilst ridding themselves of some dead wood, Phil Jones anyone? In addition to the CB the team are also crying out for an elite holding midfielder, sorry Fred. But first, let’s start with the options at the back…

Need No.1 – Centre Back

Option 1 – Kalidou Koulibaly

Current team: Napoli

Target price: £45-50m

Option 2 – Marquinhos

Current team: PSG

Target price: £65-70m

Option 3 – Pau Torres

Current team: Villarreal

Target price: £50m+

Now all 3 are fantastic options and should be the type/quality of player that United look to target and quickly, whilst they are still able to.

Koulibaly is a player that had been spoken about for many years now and with good reason. He is a strong and commanding force at the back but can also back that up with some real techincal ability on the ball. His overall reading of the game and ability to sniff out danger would provide any team with a sense of reassurance and calm which United in particular have not had at the back for some time now.

Now where Koulibaly excels in what he offers, physically, Marquinhos and Pau Torres both offer more athletic and techincal strengths. That is not to say that either are weak or pushovers but that they are more of a modern CB, ball-playing defenders most definitely at the forefront of their respective games. If Maguire could recapture his country form for club then either would make an excellent partner in the same way that John Stones compliments Maguire when playing for England.

Need No.2 – Holding Midfielder

Option 1 – Josh Kimmich

Current team: Bayern Munich

Target Price: £80-90m

Option 2 – Eduardo Camavinga

Current team: Real Madrid

Target price: £60m+

Option 3 – Marco Veratti

Current team: PSG

Target Price: £50-60m

It could be easily argued that any of the above options would be a vast improvement over the current CM options available at United, Fred we are all looking at you. But all of them are viable options, if and only if United act quickly.

Looking at Kimmich first, he is built in the same mould as Philip Lahm in that he is just as comfortable at right back as he is playing in the middle of the park pulling the strings. He has the ability to unlock a defence with one pass whilst also leaning on his football intelligence to allow him to take up exceptional positions during the game. Ensuring that he is not wasteful on the ball he also provides energy without the ball with which you can be assured he will not be without it for long. The only main concern is the recent contract extension until 2025, but realistically when has that ever stopped a player moving?

Now if United are serious about planning for the future then they should look no further than Camavinga. Aged just 19 he has already made quite the impression on the football world. Mature beyond his years he has already shown himself to be composed and extremely useful with possession. Madrid have invested a lot in the young man so would want a fee of £60m+ but as we all know they need the money!!!

Now last on the list is a bit of a wild card, Veratti at 29 does not offer the longevity in the same way that the others do. What he does offer is a stop gap solution but, for a premium price. Currently on around £230,000 per week he would likely command a wage of around £250,000+ now he has the attributes to step into the breach and improve United but it is a decision on if United want to go for another temporary fix or look to build a team for the future.

Summary

United come into the January window with much uncertainity. They now have an interim manager Ralf Rangnick in place until at least the summer, but that doesn’t solve the long-term plans for the club. Fans will hope to see at least a few new faces in this window, especially at CB and CM, even if that means some of the deadwood is finally ridded of. Strange times for fans of United but also one which also hold an opportunity to out things in place to finally get the club back to where it belongs.