Manchester United Transfer News: Playmakers Who Would Transform the Champions

Manchester United are widely tipped to be making a move for midfield reinforcements this winter, with their slow start to the season partly down to a lack of ingenuity in the middle of the park.

It was a weakness they attempted to solve over the summer, Adam Crafton of the Daily Mail detailing Cesc Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara and Ander Herrera as just some of the names that the Red Devils missed out on.

However, there's still time for David Moyes to go about solving an issue that's affected his side for the worse in the New Year, with several rumoured targets holding a particular potential when it comes to an Old Trafford switch.

Andrea Pirlo

Old though the metronomic maestro may be, Andrea Pirlo is still yet to sign a contract extension with Juventus, his current deal expiring in under six months' time.

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Back in November, the Daily Star's Nick Lustig pointed out United as just one of the Premier League big guns hoping to make a move for the Italian veteran, who was supposedly open to a move to England.

Recent months have seen the scent go slightly cold, but Pirlo would be a more than sufficient option for Moyes to have at his disposal, offering a similar passing alternative to Michael Carrick, not to mention a worthwhile voice to have in one's dressing room.

Koke

One of the hot topics of the transfer market right now, Koke's talents sparked a frenzy among European titans after it was revealed in recent months that a £16 million release clause existed in the playmaker's Atletico Madrid contract, per the Daily Star's Nick Lustig.

More recently, however, Paul Clennam of Goal.com reported that the Red Devils' interest had intensified to the point that three lawyers had been sent to the Spanish capital in order to facilitate a deal.

However, La Liga expert Graham Hunter doesn't see the club or player sanctioning a deal anytime soon:

Koke ticks all the boxes for United in that he's got incredible potential at just 21 years of age, but is already making waves in La Liga, contributing four goals and nine assists to Atleti's cause this term, per Transfermarkt.co.uk.

Able to play as a central hub, in a deeper-lying role or more commonly closer to the attacking line, the starlet possesses a broad range of attributes that make him a creative resource worth chasing for Moyes.

Ravel Morrison

Something of a wild card this winter given his past at Old Trafford, Ravel Morrison may yet come back to have an impact at Manchester United.

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As a Red Devils academy graduate, many tipped the West Ham midfielder for great things at the club in the past, but it would appear that disagreements of a personal nature played their part in ending any such dreams—or at least putting them on hold.

The 20-year-old has just 18 months left on his deal at Upton Park and the Metro's Danny Griffiths has suggested that the attacking midfielder could be shifted in order for the Hammers to improve the squad as a whole.

Contrary to rumours, The Guardian's Jamie Jackson has stated that United do not, however, have a buy-back option for their former prodigy:

Thriving in a first-team role, Morrison has shown glimpses of the creative talent many assumed he would become as a Red Devil, but Moyes may yet reap the benefits of the player, who also happens to have an acute eye for goal.