Manchester United Transfers: 11 Possible Targets for Sir Alex Ferguson in 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson has been immensely successful at Manchester United and, despite being above 70 years of age, he has showed no signs of his hunger decreasing and continues to be immensely successful at Old Trafford.

The Manchester United manager has had to face challenges from different clubs over the years from Liverpool to Arsenal to Chelsea, but could yet face his most difficult challenge as he tries to beat Manchester City. City have spent plenty of money to acquire top quality stars while United have invested more on youngsters who could be the core of United in the future as well.

The Red Devils are currently three points behind leaders Manchester City, but they still have a good chance of winning the title this season. He made an intelligent decision to bring back Paul Scholes from retirement and the midfielder has shown that he can provide the experience and dominance in central midfield.

Though Manchester United may not spend as much money as their rivals City, they do have the financial capability to spend on some of their top transfer targets because they are one of the top earners from commercial deals.

This article is on some of the possible top transfer targets for the Red Devils and some of them could make Manchester United into an even stronger team in the future.

Luka Modric (Tottenham)

Tottenham's Luka Modric has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world and his performances have been important in Tottenham's excellent performances this season. The Croatian midfielder was strongly linked with a move away from White Hart Lane in the summer but Tottenham refused to sell him to Chelsea and Modric has been superb for Spurs this season as well. He brings plenty of creativity to the team and has the quality to impress at the highest level.

Though Spurs managed to hold on to the midfielder despite strong interest from Chelsea, it could be difficult if Manchester United also make a move for the midfielder. According to the Daily Mail, Modric is one of the top transfer targets for the Red Devils and could move for the Croatian in the summer.

He could cost as much as £50 million to sign, which could be a problem for United, but if they could strike a deal for the midfielder, it could immensely improve the quality of the Manchester United midfield—especially with Tom Cleverley also returning to the squad.

Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)

Borussia Dortmund have been one of the stellar performers in the Bundesliga in the last couple of seasons and they also won the Bundesliga title in the previous season. Their centre back partnership of Mats Hummels and Neven Subotic has been integral to them being very solid at the back.

Hummels has been linked with a move to Old Trafford and could provide more solidity to the defense. With Rio Ferdinand clearly past his best and also suffering many injuries, Manchester United would do well if they were to sign another quality centre back.

Mats Hummels has been very solid at the back for Dortmund and also has good technical ability to bring the ball from the back. The German international has the quality required to be a regular for a club like Manchester United and could move on if United make the right offer.

Though the current Bundesliga champions will be reluctant to sell the defender, it would be difficult if Hummels is interested in a move and also, if United offer the right money.

Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan)

Inter Milan had a very poor start to their season, but since the appointment of Claudio Ranieri as their manager, they have found their form and have staged a superb comeback in recent weeks. They are not too far from even challenging for the Serie A, though attaining a Champions League will be the primary aim at this stage of the season. 

Wesley Sneijder was one of the most important players as Inter Milan won the treble under Jose Mourinho, but he has not been able to produce his best since that mainly due to injuries. With new signing Ricardo Alvarez impressing under Ranieri and the manager also keen on using two strikers in several games, Sneijder could be on the move in the future.

The Dutch international still remains a quality player and he is one of the best attacking midfielders in the world. Sneijder was strongly linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer, but ultimately did stay with Inter Milan for this season.

Sneijder could provide the creativity and also a goalscoring threat from midfield and could be important in establishing that Red Devils are the dominant force in Manchester.

Leandro Damiao (Internacional)

Leandro Damiao is one of the best young prospects in the world and is one of the best talents currently playing outside Europe. He has been in excellent form for his club side Internacional in the last couple of season and it is not surprising that he has been linked with many clubs. His performances have also earned him a call-up to the national side and he could be an integral part of the Brazilian national team in the future. Though Internacional will be reluctant to lose him, it would be difficult to hold on to him if big European clubs are interested in signing him.

Manchester United and Tottenham have both been linked with the striker and it could be an astute move to sign him considering his undoubted talent. If Dimitar Berbatov does move away from Manchester United, then Sir Alex Ferguson could look to add another striker, though he still has Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck in the team. Damiao could be a excellent signing for the long term and considering that Ferguson has developed several young talents into world class players, it could also be a good move for the young Brazil striker.

Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund)

Mario Goetze is one of the best young prospects in the world and, despite being only 19 years of age, he is already a regular for the Borussia Dortmund side. He was one of the integral players for Dortmund as they won the Bundesliga title last season and his performances have not gone unnoticed as he has also made appearances for the Germany national team. If he continues to progress, he is certain to be one of the best players in the world because he is undoubtedly a world class talent and Borussia Dortmund will be reluctant to sell the young midfielder.

Goetze is also versatile and can play in a central role or on the wings. The Germany international could be a great addition to the team though he will not come at a cheap price and he will certainly improve the quality of the team as well as provide depth. Also, Sir Alex Ferguson has been integral in developing several youngsters and Goetze will certainly become a better player under the Manchester United manager.

Christian Eriksen (Ajax)

Manchester United have signed several talented youngsters who have realized their potential to become world class players in the future for the Red Devils. Sir Alex Ferguson has always been active in signing talented young prospects and, even recently, he has signed the likes of David De Gea, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Javier Hernandez among others who have a bright future at Old Trafford.

Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen is another player who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford and it would probably be a good move to sign the talented youngster.

Eriksen is one of the best young midfielders in the world and he could become a key part of United’s midfield in the future if he can cope with the physicality of the Premiership. The youngster has great technical ability on the ball and can provide creativity from midfield. It would also be a great opportunity for the youngster to work with one of the greatest ever managers and he is certain to benefit if he shows the right attitude.

Jack Rodwell (Everton)

Everton’s Jack Rodwell is another youngster who could be targeted by Manchester United in this January transfer window or in the summer because he is a fine prospect who will provide stability to the midfield. Rodwell’s best position is not yet known because he has been used in various positions by manager David Moyes, who is renowned for developing young players as well.

It is clear that Rodwell is a player with a lot of talent and is bound to attract a number of clubs because of his quality. He could also be a key player in midfield for England in the future if he is consistent and continues to develop.

United signed Wayne Rooney from Everton when he was a teenager and he is currently United’s main attacking player. Rodwell has the quality to play at the highest level and could be targeted by Sir Alex Ferguson. Also, his versatility could prove to be a big asset for United who have had to deal with many injuries.

With Darren Fletcher’s return date not yet confirmed, Rodwell would be a good replacement if signed in this January transfer window and even otherwise, he would provide quality depth to this team.

Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilboa)

Javi Martinez of Athletic Bilboa is one of the best midfielders in the La Liga and has also been called up to represent the Spanish national team. Martinez is another very talented Spanish midfielder and has excellent technical ability on the ball.

He is primarily a defensive minded central midfielder but can also distribute the ball very well from deep midfield. He can also play as a centre back which provides more depth to the team. The versatility of Martinez will provide more options for Manchester United and he is quite physically built which would help him cope with the physicality of the Premiership.

Martinez is very highly rated at Atheltic Bilboa and they will be reluctant to let him go unless a club offers a lot of money. According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United are likely to face a lot of competition to sign the midfielder with Manchester City among others also interested.

However, if United can seal a deal for the midfielder, it would be a good signing in the long term because he is an exciting prospect who will undoubtedly provide more stability to the midfield.

Eden Hazard (Lille)

Eden Hazard is undoubtedly one of the best young players in the world and has been outstanding for Lille in the last couple of seasons, playing an integral role in the club winning the French league title. Hazard is very talented and has the quality to be a world class midfielder.

Though he would not come at a bargain price, he could be a major coup for United if he can fulfill his undoubted potential at Manchester United like Cristiano Ronaldo did at Old Trafford. The Belgian international will provide more creativity to the United attack and will undoubtedly be difficult to handle for opposition defenders.

The tricky midfielder has attracted the attentions of several clubs in the world, but according to the Daily Mail, the player could be open to a switch to a big Premiership club like Manchester United or Chelsea.

Manchester United do have the financial capability to sign the Belgian international and it could be an excellent signing for the long term as well if Sir Alex Ferguson can persuade Eden Hazard to sign for the Red Devils.

Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund)

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has already been mentioned on this list and his partner Neven Subotic could also be a major transfer target for the Manchester United manager. Subotic has also been very impressive for Borussia Dortmund and has been really solid in the last year.

He is also a Serbian international and has played alongside Nemanja Vidic in the past which will also help him settle if he is signed by Sir Alex Ferguson. Dortmund are unlikely to sell any of their key players in the January transfer window, but there exists a possibility that United could sign Subotic by offering the right money to the German club.

Subotic has the physical attributes required to cope with the physicality of the Premiership and should not take too much time to adjust as well if he does have a preseason because Vidic is likely to help him settle into the league. He could be a great addition to the team because he is very dominant in the air and also does have the pace required to make recovery tackles if required. Though it will be difficult to sign him, the Serbian will certainly be an excellent addition to the Manchester United squad.

Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica)

Benfica’s Nicolas Gaitan is another midfielder who has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United after he impressed against the Red Devils in the Champions League this season. Though the Portuguese club have lost several good players like Angel Di Maria and David Luiz in the past, they have also made some very intelligent signings like Gaitan which has helped their club remain among the top clubs in Portugal. Gaitan is naturally very talented and can play on the wings or in a central attacking midfield role if required.

According to the Independent, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is very keen on securing the signing of the midfielder at least in the summer transfer window, but could have to splash the money to sign the tricky midfielder.

Gaitan could be another excellent signing by Sir Alex Ferguson because he is very talented with a good work rate as well. He is still young and will continue to develop at Old Trafford if he is signed.