Manchester United target four winter signings as Ten Hag searches for boost
Manchester United are aiming to strengthen in four positions in January, with concerns over Sofyan Amrabat’s indifferent start prompting the club to consider a move for a defensive midfielder.
United are also looking for a right-sided centre-back, a No 8 and a striker. Erik ten Hag needs reinforcements after a challenging start to the season, although there is recognition that bringing in four players will not be straightforward.
Much may depend on Sir Jim Ratcliffe completing his purchase of a 25% stake. There have been suggestions that Ratcliffe will want to make changes to the recruitment structure at United, who are also conscious of their financial fair play position.
FFP means that incomings may hinge on players leaving. United were unable to sell Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay in the summer and any move for a forward is likely to depend on a buyer emerging for Anthony Martial.
Attack is not the main priority given that Ten Hag has Marcus Rashford and bought Rasmus Højlund for £72m in the summer.
United have had issues in midfield this season. Casemiro has shown signs of age and doubts have been raised internally over Amrabat’s performances. The Morocco midfielder has started four league games on loan from
Fiorentina and was left out for the 18-year-old academy product Kobbie Mainoo when United defeated Everton on Sunday.
The interest in a left-sided No 8 may come as a surprise given that United signed Mason Mount from Chelsea for £60m last summer. Mount has made little impact, fitness issues disrupting the England international’s momentum.
The quest for a centre-back will raise further doubts over Raphaël Varane’s future. Varane has struggled with injuries and has fallen out of favour in recent weeks.
Tottenham want to sign a centreback and a central midfielder in January. Although they are open to signing a forward, attack is not their priority. Injuries have highlighted a lack of depth in defence and midfield this month.
Ange Postecoglou started four full-backs in defence when Aston Villa handed Spurs a third successive defeat on Sunday. Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ashley Phillips were unavailable and Eric Dier was on the bench. Spurs sold Davinson Sánchez to Galatasaray in the summer.
The injury list lengthened when Rodrigo Bentancur was forced off with an ankle problem against Villa that is expected to keep him out for about 10 weeks. The Uruguay midfielder was making his first start since February. Spurs were without Pape Sarr, James Maddison and the suspended Yves Bissouma. Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg have had minimal roles under Postecoglou.
Spurs could consider a move for Jota, who played for Postecoglou at Celtic, but the interest in the Al-Ittihad attacker is not advanced.