Manchester United Transfer News: Gerard Pique Would Be Perfect January Target

Even after a variety of moves during the transfer window, Manchester United still sit in the middle of the English Premier League table. Fortunately, there are more moves that can help the club if it can hold out to the next transfer period in January.

One potential match would be an incoming transfer of Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. According to AS, this move is possible after the 27-year-old player has struggled to get onto the pitch early this season.

Citing the AS report, Goal.com provides the latest details:

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Gerard Pique has struggled to assert his quality at Barcelona since Luis Enrique took over as coach this summer and Manchester United are considering bringing the centre-back back to Old Trafford in January to fill their defensive void.

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Pique was a member of Manchester United earlier in his career but struggled to get onto the pitch and spent a lot of his time out on loan. Since transferring to Barcelona in 2008, however, he has flourished into one of the best centre-backs in the world.

His experience at a high level is almost unmatched at the position, competing for one of the best clubs in the world while appearing in at least 25 league matches in five of the last six seasons. He has also been a regular for the Spanish national team, which up until this summer was easily the best in the world.

Unfortunately for him, Barcelona have found better options as regulars on the back line. Javier Mascherano seems to have settled in as a centre-back rather than as a defensive midfielder, while Jeremy Mathieu continues to impress, as noted by David Cartlidge of beIN Sports:

While manager Luis Enrique has not been able to get Pique into the lineup, he still believes in him as a player, via Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC:

In reality, the talented defender would be starting for pretty much any other club in the world. Manchester United should do their best to take advantage of Barca's embarrassment of riches and bring the player to Old Trafford.

Defence has been a real problem for United this season, especially after allowing five goals to Leicester City in a recent loss. Phil Jones and Jonny Evans are currently injured, although neither one is too solid when in the lineup. Tyler Blackett has also looked overwhelmed when on the pitch.

Chris Smalling has shown plenty of promise, but he is also not enough to keep opponents from getting easy looks at the net.

Bringing in Pique will be an instant upgrade over each of these players and would provide plenty of stability in front of David de Gea.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Additionally, the veteran defender would be able to provide plenty of experience to these other players on the squad. Each of them have talent but lack the organisation of a top back. Pique would be able to provide plenty of knowledge and show what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

Just as importantly, this experience can help the whole team as he brings a winning attitude to the club. Pique has won numerous league titles, two Champions League trophies, a European Championship and a World Cup. He expects to win every time he takes the pitch, and this mindset can be contagious.

The question is whether Manchester United can complete a deal for the talented player. The good news is the player seems willing to play for Louis van Gaal. According to Dave Armitage of the Daily Star, the centre-back agreed with the hire over the summer:

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I think he will do great at United. I remember meeting him as a kid and ended up on the floor.

My grandfather Amador was vice-president of Barcelona and I was at his house when Van Gaal called around. He had a really good relationship with my grandfather. I was 12 or 13 at the time and he knew I was playing for the club's youth team.

He just shoved me and I fell down on the floor. I looked at him and he said 'You're not tough enough to be a centre back.' He's a real disciplinarian just like Sir Alex Ferguson was. I think he will do a great job at United.

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Considering he could get first-team minutes for a coach he respects, this seems like an easy decision.

All that would be left is deciding a cost, which would obviously be expensive for a player of this caliber. However, Manchester United have not been shy about spending money to this point, and they should not stop now.

It is a long time until the transfer window opens in January, but this is a move the English squad has to work to complete by then.

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