Jason Wilcox has stepped into Manchester United’s sporting director role following Dan Ashworth’s departure.
Wilcox, the club’s technical director, will be in charge of transfers for the January transfer window.
Manager Ruben Amorim needs to reinforce his squad to boost their chances of winning silverware and qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
However, clubs are reluctant to sell key players in the mid-season transfer window, which makes it difficult to sign quality players.
Here are some possible targets they should look at.
Victor Osimhen
The 25-year-old is on loan with Galatasaray from Napoli and has been in brilliant form, scoring ten goals in 13 games in all competitions.
There is a clause in his contract that allows him to leave Galatasaray next month. United can take advantage of that to land him.
However, a move for the Nigerian striker will be difficult. He has reiterated his desire to stay at Galatasaray beyond next month.
Alphonso Davies
The Red Devils have been heavily linked with the Bayern Munich full-back.
His contract expires next summer, and United have scheduled talks with his agent in January.
Amorim has called for the club to sign a left-back, and Wilcox’s priority should be ensuring that the club sign Davies.
Ademola Lookman
The Atalanta forward has been the most decisive player in Serie A this year. He has registered more goal involvements than any other player in the division.
He has the quality to play as one of the two number 10s in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation. He can operate in tight spaces, has good footwork and his decision-making is top-notch.
Lookman is right-footed, which makes him the perfect replacement for Alejandro Garnacho, who has struggled under Amorim.
United can sign him for a reasonable fee in January because his contract expires next summer. They may also wait until the summer but risk facing competition for him.
Ederson
United attempted to sign the Atalanta midfielder before acquiring Manuel Ugarte but failed.
Ugarte has not done badly, but the club still need an all-round midfielder to partner him.
Ederson is a defensive midfielder, but he can get high up the pitch to influence games. He has three goal involvements in Serie A this season.
He can progress the ball from the midfield to the attack when required, making him suitable to play under Amorim.
Atalanta are unlikely to sell, but United should make another attempt to sign the Brazilian.
Jonathan Tah
The German centre-back has been a mainstay in Bayer Leverkusen’s defence. He is a good ball-playing defender, and his defensive nous is admirable.
United are likely to lose Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans next summer. A new centre-back must be brought in, and Tah would be a perfect fit for the club.
He plays in a three-man defence at Leverkusen and would not find it difficult playing under Amorim.