Manchester United eye squad makeover in January amid disastrous start to the season

Manchester United have compiled a shortlist of players that they will try and recruit in the January transfer window in a bid to save their season.

The Red Devils currently sit in 12th position in the Premier League table and are just a few points above the relegation places – a mighty fall for the English giants.

With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side struggling to put in good performances and secure wins, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is looking to bring in players that can help turn the fortunes around at Old Trafford.

Names touted include the likes of Mario Mandzukic and Thomas Muller, both who have played for German giants Bayern Munich.

The English quartet of Sean Longstaff, James Maddison, Eric Dier and Jadon Sancho have also been touted for a move to one of England’s biggest clubs.

Teammates at the international level, Maddison and Sancho are currently at 7/2 and 7/1 odds to move to Manchester respectively.

It is expected that United will make signings this winter in order to claw back a huge points differential and make it into the top six let alone the top four.

With Leicester City’s hot start to the season, the Red Devils’ position in the top six looks heavily in danger despite rivals such as Tottenham Hotspur also struggling.

United have made their worst start in 30 years under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and therefore, the pressure is ramping up on the Norwegian.

Managers such as Massimiliano Allegri and Mauricio Pochettino have already been heavily rumoured to replace the 46-year-old so Solskjaer will be hoping that Woodward can make some signings to help him out.

The United boss has suffered some rotten luck throughout the start of the season with a small injury crisis hitting his team.

Ahead of their much-anticipated fixture against local rivals Liverpool, it was recently announced that Paul Pogba and David de Gea will be unavailable.

Add those to the list of Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof, Solskjaer is having to deal with his squad’s core missing.

Central midfield has long been an issue for the record Premier League champions and failure to replace the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez has cost United in the attacking department.

It was said that United have recently adopted a new transfer strategy since their recruitment has constantly shifted with managers coming and going.

Assistant coach Mike Phelan has previously stated that the club is looking at recruiting young British talent which is highlighted by their summer signings in Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James.

Therefore, that is why the likes of Sancho, Maddison and Longstaff have been heavily linked as they fill that quota and are missing pieces to the ever-changing United puzzle.

However, the squad do need quick fixes if they are going to try and reach the coveted top-four finish in order to qualify for the Champions League.

With Mandzukic and Muller, they are both currently out-of-favour at their respective top clubs and have some much-needed experience and can provide different options in the attack that United currently lack.