The Manchester United fans in the Football Transfer Tavern will be a lot happier with their club than they might have been earlier in the season.
The Red Devils are currently unbeaten in 17 matches in all competitions since a Europa League defeat away at Fenerbahce at the start of November.
The latest result was a 1-1 draw at away to Stoke City, with Wayne Rooney scoring a last minute free-kick to claim a point for the Red Devils.
While they have been in imperious form in the last couple of months, the punters in the Transfer Tavern will believe that there are positions in the side that need strengthening, if the team is to continue its push for a top four finish in the Premier League.
With less than a fortnight to go until the transfer window closes, the United supporters standing at the bar will be hoping that their side is going to be strengthened in order to give the team the best possible chance of finishing the campaign on a high.
Here are THREE signings United could realistically seal deals for this week…
Benjamin Mendy
With rumours suggesting that United are looking to offload left-back Luke Shaw, and with right-back Matteo Darmian occasionally having to fill in on the opposite side – the supporters standing at the bar would certainly rather see a naturally left-footed player in that position – Jose Mourinho may well be looking for a left-sided full-back before the transfer window closes.
The Portuguese boss has been linked with Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy, and even though the highly-rated 22-year-old only joined the Ligue 1 outfit from their French rivals Marseille last summer, he could be on the move again this month – the landlord is questioning whether he would actually be an upgrade on Shaw though.
Mendy, who like any modern day full-back loves to get forward, has made 17 appearances in all competitions for Monaco this term, picking up three assists – two of those came in just three Champions League outings.
Victor Lindelof
Even before the January transfer window officially opened, the Benfica centre-back -who can also play at right-back – was being heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford and was talk of the tavern for United fans.
Despite the fine form of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo at the heart of the defence – much to the surprise of the landlord and his punters – and United since suggesting that they won’t be making a move for the £38m-rated defender this month, with Eric Bailly away at the African Cup of Nations and Inter Milan now said to be sniffing around the Swede, Mourinho could be forced to make his move for the 22-year-old in the next week or so.
Bernardo Silva
While a reported asking price of £70m for Silva is much more likely to be splashed out in the summer rather than in the next couple of weeks – the punters standing at the bar believe the club would be nuts to pay that much for him now – the January transfer window is never short of surprises.
As Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho looks for a successful end to the season, he may just be willing to bring in a player that can give them an extra little spark – which the Portugal international proved he can with a brilliant strike in his club’s win against Tottenham at Wembley in the Champions League in September – the landlord was impressed with that goal!
Alongside Benjamin Mendy, the 22-year-old has enjoyed a successful season for Ligue 1 table-toppers Monaco and Silva, who often plays in the number 10 role, has scored four and assisted four in the league this term – an impressive return that will make the fans in the tavern sit up and take note.
