Manchester United Transfer News: New Plan Needed with Mario Gotze Unavailable

Manchester United (along with Arsenal and Barcelona) can kiss promising German player Mario Gotze goodbye.

At least for this year. From the Daily Mail:

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The German giant's sporting director Michael Zorc announced the talented teenager will remain with defending Bundesliga champions for at least another season, ruling out the possibility of him leaving during the current transfer window.

'Gotze has a contract until 2014. We have no reason to sell him,' Zorc told German daily Bild, insisting that the 19-year-old's immediate future is not in question.

Zorc, however, did not rule out selling the young playmaker, adding that Gotze isn't 'a prophet' and that 'if someone offers a billion euros tomorrow, then you should think about it.'

Gotze, who won the 2011 Golden Boy award for the best European under-21 player, has scored five goals and set up five more in the Bundesliga this season.

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For those of you unawares, Gotze is the real deal. Thomas Zocher of SkySports noted that he has been compared to Lionel Messi.

So you can see why Manchester United would have been interested.

Now, United must turn to their need for a midfielder. Wesley Sneijder from Inter Milan will be a target, and United is said to be interested in FC Basel's 19-year-old Granit Xhaka as a backup plan to Sneijder. Another target is Santos midfielder Ganso, and the team has said publicly they are listening to offers.

One way or another, a Manchester United team that has been hit with a number of injuries could use some help in the January transfer window.