Manchester United Transfer News: What David Moyes Must Do on Deadline Day

With little time left in the January transfer window, Manchester United manager David Moyes must continue to try and complete the signing of a new central midfielder.

United have been linked with a number of players, but the name of Toni Kroos has cropped up most often, as reported by John Drayton in the Daily Mail. The Germany international seems like he would be an ideal fit at Old Trafford, and he could begin to beef up a central area which lacks top-class quality at the moment.

Anderson has departed on loan and appears to have no long-term future at Old Trafford, Tom Cleverley has fallen out of favour and could be another set to depart in the summer, and, it remains unclear if Darren Fletcher can be relied upon on a regular basis.

Michael Carrick is 32 years old, while Marouane Fellaini is yet to fully convince since a summer move from Everton. The whole department is in need of an urgent restructure, and signing Kroos would be the ideal place to start that overhaul.

German football expert Clark Whitney, however, claims the speculation is being used by Kroos as a ploy to earn a better deal with the European champions:

Another name linked with United is that of Bayern striker Mario Mandzukic, as reported by Ben Jefferson in the Express, but unless United sell a forward, most likely Javier Hernandez, during this window then they have no reason to further strengthen that position.

United are also in need of defensive reinforcements, with the futures of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra in doubt, per ESPN. But the Red Devils should have more than enough in their squad to take them through until the end of the campaign.

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During the summer Moyes must look to add an experienced centre-back to cover for the loss of Ferdinand and possibly Vidic, two players who have been central to United's success in recent years.

At left-back the club can look at someone younger to replace Evra, although the need for at least one signing with a background at the top level is essential.

But the most pressing concern for Moyes remains adding some more quality to his midfield before the deadline passes.