A quick look at the calendar for the Manchester United fans in the Transfer Tavern shows that we’re now just six weeks away from the January window opening, which should mark a busy month for the Red Devils.
Our supporters are delighted to hear that Louis Van Gaal’s side have joined the hunt for Schalke star Leroy Sane and believe they can definitely pull-off a swoop for the German teenager in the New Year.
However, well aware that they face a tough battle for the Premier League title alongside Manchester City and Arsenal, the punters are demanding that United add more faces to their ranks and have been hassling our landlord for more gossip stories.
In the end we sat them down and gave them what they asked for, along with one of our new house specials, to keep them quiet- but we know it will only last for a few hours at the most!
Hit Sane below to see FIVE players who could follow the teenage sensation to United in January!
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Marko Grujic
Another youngster that could be on his way to Old Trafford in January is Red Star Belgrade star Marko Grujic, a Serbia U20 international that is attracting vast interest from across the continent- including that of United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea.
If United want to beat the Blues to the player’s signature then they may have to swoop in January, although that may prove difficult as the 19-year-old recently stated his desire to remain until next summer as he eyes the championship with Red Star- who are currently 16 points clear at the top.
Hakan Calhanoglu
Manchester United need creative players to bolster their attack and Bayer Leverkusen’s sensational midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu fits the bill perfectly, with the 21-year-old Turkish international highly-rated and tipped to become a star in the coming years.
United will face competition for his signature, with Arsenal amongst the other clubs keen on the player dubbed the ‘new Mesut Ozil’, but Van Gaal’s side will feel that if they promise first-team football they can beat their rivals to the player’s signature.
Arjen Robben
Sticking with the Bundesliga theme, a sensational deal being reported could bring former Chelsea star Arjen Robben back to the Premier League. The Bayern Munich winger has had a major fall-out with Robert Lewandowski, who dubbed the Dutchman selfish, and the 30-year-0ld could now be offloaded.
Van Gaal would love to bring his compatriot, who he worked with during his previous job in charge of the Dutch national side, to Old Trafford and with United wanting a pacy winger to provide a new dimension to their attack this could be a match made in heaven.
Paulo Oliveira
A rumour that’s gone quiet recently concerns Sporting Lisbon defender Paulo Oliveira, although there’s still a high chance he could move to Manchester United. He recently spoke about having a desire to join the Red Devils, which makes any transfer discussions much easier to reach a solution.
For United, Oliveira would fill the left-side of the defence that was vacated by Luke Shaw’s devastating injury. Although Marcos Rojo has filled in admirably, it’s well reported that the Argentine maintains a shaky relationship with Van Gaal.
Alexandre Pato
United want a striker in January and there have been strong suggestions that former AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato could return to European football and bolster United’s forward line. Although never quite living up to the early expectations in his career, Pato is an extremely capable forward.
He would provide an alternative option to the struggling Wayne Rooney and would ease the pressure upon Anthony Martial’s shoulders, both of which could prove to be extremely important factors in the race for the Premier League crown.
