Manchester United Rumors: 10 Latest Players Linked with Move to Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson keeps saying the Red Devils won't make any January signings.

But that's no fun.

Everybody loves a good transfer rumour, and besides, United just signed 82-year-old Paul Scholes out of retirement. So we're not paying attention to Fergie right now. Instead, we're bringing you a list of 10 players who recently have been linked with United.

Some of the faces are new. Some of them you've probably been reading about for ages—but now there's news to report.

Let's get started.

Granit Xhaka, FC Basel

One of the side effects of FC Basel's fairytale run in the Champions League has been an increased amount of media attention. Several players, including 19-year-old Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka, are suddenly being linked with big clubs.

This is a Manchester United slideshow, so naturally Xhaka has been linked with a move to Old Trafford. The idea is that if and when United fail (again) to sign Wesley Sneijder, they could turn to Xhaka, who is much younger and would cost much less than the Dutch superstar.

How much less depends on the source. Some say Xhaka's pricetag would be £6 million. Others say £7 million.

Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha raised eyebrows earlier this season with his performance against Manchester United in the Carling Cup. Some of those eyebrows apparently belonged to the higher-ups at Old Trafford.

Zaha, 19, is untested at the highest level since Palace play in the Championship, English football's second tier. But that reportedly hasn't stopped Manchester United and Liverpool from having "chit-chats" about the player.

Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman has issued the obligatory denial.

Keisuke Honda, CSKA Moscow

You remember Keisuke Honda, right? He's been a Manchester United target for ages, and now he's apparently back on the radar.

The latest rumblings suggest United could offer Dimitar Berbatov and cash to CSKA for Honda's services.

Honda, 25, has represented Japan 31 times, scoring eight goals. He has been with CSKA since 2010.

Arsenal and PSG are also reportedly interested in signing the attacking midfielder.

Ki Sung-Yeung, Celtic

Even with the return of Paul Scholes, United still need help in midfield. One option, according to reports, could be Celtic's Ki Sung-Yeung.

The 22-year-old South Korean midfielder would reportedly cost about £7 million. A tough tackler, solid passer and overall consistent performer, Ki Sung-Yeung would fit well with United, according to this article.

Vasilis Torosidis, Olympiacos

In 2010, defender Vasilis Torosidis scored Greece's first-ever goal at a World Cup finals. Now he's being linked with a move to Manchester United.

The potential deal does make some sense. United need defenders badly. Olympiacos (or is it Olympiakos?) need cash badly.

Everybody would win.

Lucas Ocampos, River Plate

The Sun reports that Chelsea are interested in signing South American teen sensation Lucas Ocampos. What does this have to do with Manchester United?

The Red Devils are mentioned in passing as another team interested in Ocampos, who has been dubbed the new Cristiano Ronaldo.

But it's not just Chelsea and United. Several clubs are reportedly interested, and any deal would be pricey.

Demba Ba, Newcastle

Everybody wants Demba Ba, the Senegalese international forward who has scored 15 league goals this season for Newcastle. And if you believe the reports, Ba has an invitingly inexpensive release clause in his contract.

But while Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing him, Ba is on international duty all month at the African Cup of Nations. Any deal would be difficult this month, and Ba has done his part to quash the rumours.

But in the summer?

Neven Subotic, Borussia Dortmund

A Serb for a Serb?

With Serbian central defender Nemanja Vidic out injured through the end of the season, Manchester United are reportedly in the market for defenders. One option could be Borussia Dortmund's Serbian international Neven Subotic.

You'll notice that Mario Götze is also mentioned in that article, but we're as tired of that rumour as you are.

Gaston Ramirez, Bologna

Another option for United's midfield crisis could be 21-year-old Uruguayan international Gaston Ramirez.

Ramirez, who plays for Bologna in Serie A, has also been linked with Liverpool. Bologna, however, are saying he's going nowhere.

Eden Hazard, Lille

The Eden Hazard transfer saga is nothing new, and United are by no means the only team being linked with the young Belgian midfielder.

But the chase has heated up lately with Hazard supposedly dropping new hints that he's ready to move on from Lille—maybe even this month.

Stay tuned. This one could get interesting.