Manchester United fans in the Transfer Tavern have braced themselves for a big month as they pray that top-class signings will be made, helping to push Louis Van Gaal’s side towards Champions League football.
The season so far can be put down as ‘could do better’ and fans are keen to show improvements in the coming months, as they look to land a top-four finish and compete in the FA Cup, which competes this weekend.
Our regulars are under no illusions though and believe that, despite having spent over £350m already, Louis Van Gaal needs to be handed more cash to make his side more competitive. In their eyes, plenty of the first-team simply aren’t good enough.
With reports that United are eying Barcelona stopper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen as a replacement for inevitably Real Madrid bound David De Gea, the fans have started to discuss what players could possibly join the German at Old Trafford.
They’ve ended up with a list of five names, all of whom our landlord agrees would go a long way to fixing United’s problems.
Hit Ter Stegen below to see FIVE players who could join him at Manchester United!
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Felipe Anderson
If we had a pound for every time Felipe Anderson was touted with a move to Manchester United, we’d be able to shut-up shop and relocate to Spain. This time though, it seems that the Lazio man could finally be on his way to the Premier League.
Lazio are open to a sale, for the right price, and Manchester United want to strengthen their attacking options- with a staggering low tally of just 24 goals so far this season. It seems like a match made in heaven, in all honesty, and plenty of the lads have a few quid on this deal being completed before February.
Sadio Mane
Another long-term target for Manchester United is Senegalese international Sadio Mane, with the Red Devils quest being handed a boost in the past week with the player slated by manager Ronald Koeman. He arrived to a teem meeting two hours later and subsequently was dropped for the weekend’s defeat to Norwich City.
Mane is said to be unsettled by the speculation and wants the chance to play for a Champions League side, whilst United want the player to help assure them of a spot in the competition. Again a seemingly perfect match on paper but the Saints are reluctant to part ways with their finest player.
A large sum would be required but the ball is definitely within Manchester United’s court.
Romelu Lukaku
Tearing up the Premier League with 15 goals already this term, Everton’s Romelu Lukaku is the name on everybody’s lips. With United wanting goals and a big-name striker, it seems appropriate that their quest for signings would lead them to Merseyside.
Everton are desperate not to lose their £28m star and would demand vast profit on the figure they paid Chelsea for his services. The Belgian international though will want the chance to play at the highest level, with the Toffees some way short of competing for Champions League football.
Marquinhos
Recent reports have linked Manchester United to Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos, who has put top sides on alert by admitting he may be tempted by an exit from the French capital in the future. The key, as always, is a lack of first-team football.
A seemingly impossible task of dislodging Thiago Silva and David Luiz lays ahead of him but United could offer him guaranteed football on a regular basis. That could seal the deal, although United would have to pay an astronomically high fee.
John Stones
John Stones is the holy grail of English football right now, valued at £50m after shining with Everton. That’s attracted interest from Chelsea, who courted the player during the summer, and now Manchester United have joined the hunt.
Everton don’t want to sell, with the player’s price-tag likely to increase further, but it’s only delayed the inevitable as it’s clear Stones is destined for bigger things than he can achieve at Goodison Park. Whether that’s elsewhere in Europe though is up for debate.
