Manchester United: The one player Solskjaer must sign in January

There is one player who the Manchester United boss must sign in the January transfer window if he is serious about getting the club into the Top 4.

Cast your mind back to the last couple of years at Manchester United. The last decade even. And think. Carefully. Take a long ponder. When was the last time Old Trafford had a true creative spark in the middle of the park?

We’re not talking about the likes of Juan Mata or Jesse Lingard. The question is when was the last time the club had a truly world class attacking midfielder. Someone with the ability to perform consistently.

And for the answer you would have to travel back to much more pleasant times.

Imagine this.

The Premier League season is well underway. Manchester United are at the top of the table. They have a world class manager in, Sir Alex Ferguson.

The club is stable. Everything under control.

The Red Devils have one of the best teams in world football.

They have creative midfielders in the likes of Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo. Players who are game changes. Players who can cut through defences like knife through butter. Players who have performed at the highest of levels.

Whilst it may seem a fantasy when one looks at the current Manchester United squad. Back in those days it was a genuine reality. The Red Devils were the team to beat and much of it hinged on the fact that they had game-changing players.

That quality is rarely to be found in the current Manchester United team.

There are some flickers through the likes of Marcus Rashford or perhaps even the fresh faced Mason Greenwood, but it is not consistent and often dwindles away.

The club need to reignite the spark. They need to buy someone truly world class. Someone in the same ilk as Cristiano Ronaldo or Paul Scholes.

But ask yourself where can United find such a player?

The answer is simple.

In Amsterdam the Johan Cruyff Arena is situated on the outskirts of the city, away from the long winding canals of the city centre. There is an artificial pitch outside in front of a gigantic mural of the club’s legend Johan Cruyff.

Cruyff was one of the best creative and attacking midfielders to have graced the planet and for the first time perhaps Ajax have someone of the same mould as their former legend.

His name is Hakim Ziyech. Just like Cruyff he weaves past players with ease using spectacular dribbles and his long legs to stride through defences.

The ball is glued to Hakim Ziyech’s feet and even when the Moroccan decides to release it, the usual end result is with the ball slamming against the back of the opposition’s net.

Hakim Ziyech is the creative spark United have craved for all these years. He is the man who can transform the club’s fortunes.

Recently the Moroccan has been linked with a move to Old Trafford and the Red Devils should do everything within their means to try to sign him.

Last season Ziyech scored 21 goals and gave out 24 assists in all competitions. At the halfway mark this time around Ziyech has 8 goals and 21 assists already.

Imagine those numbers at Old Trafford. Imagine how far up the table Solskjaer’s side could be if they had someone to unlock deep-lying opposition defences.

The answer is simple. Get it done Ed Woodward.

What do you think would Hakim Ziyech be a good signing for Manchester United?