Our Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern are expecting big deals during this window to help them close the gap on Chelsea.

After a pretty stop-start beginning to this campaign the Old Trafford outfit is properly firing on all cylinders and, whilst they are the outsiders for the Premier League title, you cannot count them out.

Ten points separates them from leaders Chelsea at the moment with a huge game against Liverpool the weekend after this, so they’ll be looking for reinforcements to improve their chances.

United certainly have the financial power to sign pretty much whoever they want and our landlord reckons they should be looking at midfielders, in particular, to help bolster their challenge.

It could be quite the few weeks at the club, then, and our landlord reckons United should be going after these two midfielders before the window shuts…

 Ivan Rakitic

Rakitic is a class act and just the kind of player United need to take over from Michael Carrick.

The Old Trafford club’s upturn in form has largely been down to the reintroduction of the former Spurs midfielder to the side but with him getting on in his career, a replacement is needed soon. Rakitic would be more than perfect with his passing range whilst his experience at the very top level with Barcelona would mean it wouldn’t take him long to bed in.

 Julian Weigl

Perhaps United would want a younger Carrick replacement, though, and if so, this is where they should look.

Julian Weigl has already had to take over from a chief play-maker after taking on Ilkay Gundogan’s mantle at Borussia Dortmund. He’s done that with aplomb, too, and looks a player whose mental reading of the game far surpasses his years. He’s only set to get better, too, and so would therefore be a class signing for United.

Agree, United fans? Let us know below!