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Dearest Readers,
Colin Damms here from The Busby Babe Podcast. Matt and I have talked a bit about the January 2019 transfer window, particularly the expected inaction of Ed Woodward, but rumors of signings persist nonetheless, and we’d like to hear your input on who Manchester United should target at the mid-season mark.
Let us know in the polls and comments what you think United’s areas of needs are and who can address those problems.
Results will be discussed on the podcast following the Tottenham Hotspur game, and, hopefully, we’ll have some news of transfer activity to discuss as well!
Thanks for participating!
Should United do Business in January?
Manchester United seem to have found their form under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and the problems that were magnified by José Mourinho’s tactics have faded a bit in recent weeks. Ed Woodward certainly needs to do a better job addressing squad needs in a way that fits the needs of the manager as well, but should he wait until the summer to do so? A permanent manager, and possibly a Director of Football, would help make deals go more smoothly, but there are still needs in the squad, needs that if addressed could improve United’s chances at obtaining silverware and/or qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season.
Poll
Should Manchester United conduct transfer business this January?
Areas of Concern
Though Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has clearly done well improving the confidence and form of the squad, areas that were lacking under Mourinho are still evident in the recent wins. The lack of depth in defense is still an issue, particularly at centre back. There are a plethora of options on the left wing, while options on the right are limited, and there is no clear option for a holding midfielder behind Nemanja Matić.
Poll
What position of concern needs to be addressed in January?
This poll is closed
-
82%
Centre Back
(128 votes) -
4%
Full Back
(7 votes) -
8%
Right Wing
(13 votes) -
3%
Holding Midfield
(6 votes) -
0%
Other (Comment)
(1 vote)
Defensive Targets
Poll
Which rumoured transfer target should United pursue a deal for?
This poll is closed
-
14%
Milan Škriniar
(22 votes) -
12%
Toby Alderweireld
(19 votes) -
19%
Harry Maguire
(29 votes) -
36%
Kalidou Koulibaly
(55 votes) -
15%
Matthijs de Ligt
(23 votes) -
2%
Other (Comment)
(4 votes)
Unused Talent
Along with the need for some fresh blood comes the re-evaluation of who at United already actually fits the needs of the squad. Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, and Phil Jones are often included in the discussion of players who should be replaced and sold. Matteo Darmian and Antonio Valencia have joined this group as the former has hardly made any impact at the club since joining in 2015, and the latter has seen his form take a serious dive over the last year. A few other players fans have expressed their displeasure with include Nemanja Matić, Scott McTominay, and Romelu Lukaku, though Matić and Lukaku are still regulars in the United squad.
Is it time for United to finally move on?
Poll
Should Manchester United sell anyone in the January window?
Poll
Which United player should be replaced and sold in this transfer window?
This poll is closed
-
9%
Antonio Valencia
(15 votes) -
11%
Chris Smalling
(17 votes) -
36%
Marcos Rojo
(56 votes) -
18%
Matteo Darmian
(29 votes) -
18%
Phil Jones
(28 votes) -
5%
Other (Comment)
(8 votes)
Attack Attack Attack
It’s fair to say Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s best work so far has been the improved form of Manchester United’s attacking players. Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba have been phenomenal over the last few matches, and the goals and assists have also come from Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Sánchez. Sánchez, who was expected to be on his way out of the club, leapt at the opportunity to revive his United career after Ole’s arrival, and though he hasn’t yet broken back into the regular 11, he provided vital assists for United against Newcastle and Reading respectively.
With the return of Alexis and Lukaku, do United need any more attacking talent in the January window? If you think so, share in the comments!
Poll
Is any new attacking talent needed at Manchester United?
If there is anything else you’d like to share, do so in the comments below. Matt and I will be discussing the United’s transfer needs, activity, and rumours following the Tottenham game.
Thanks for your input!