Manchester United needed to sign a midfielder in the last summer transfer window. The Red Devils had been linked with several players capable of playing in the middle of the park but ended up signing none. In hindsight, with how things have turned out this season, that definitely appears to have been a mistake. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already been shown the exit door with Ralf Rangnick appearing to be closing in on becoming the club’s interim manager.
Thus, it does feel like Manchester United are already looking towards a potential rebuild. And in that case, the first position that they must target to improve in is midfield.
Solskjaer relied on the duo of Scott McTominay and Fred for the most part. While both players have shown signs of brilliance at times, there have also been a lot of questions surrounding them and their consistency.
Thus, it would not come as a surprise if Manchester United decided to bring in a midfielder in January.
Manchester United handed a transfer boost in Denis Zakaria chase
Manchester United have been linked Borussia Monchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria for quite some time now. The Swiss international’s current contract with the Bundesliga club is believed to run out next summer, meaning that the upcoming January transfer window will be their final opportunity to get a transfer fee for his departure, unless he ends up extending his deal.
The club seem open to the prospect of Zakaria leaving as well. As reported by The Sun, Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl told Bild:
"“If he [Zakaria], or any other player, tell us that they want to leave then we will sort it out. It would be crazy to fight someone if they want to go.”"
It is just recently that Zakaria turned 25 years of age but he already has plenty of experience under his belt, at both club and international level.
Zakaria is the kind of player who could help Rangnick’s counter-pressing tactics and could be a long-term solution in the middle of the park for Manchester United. But the Red Devils are expected to face heavy competition for his signature.