Manchester United Transfer News: Nani Set for Shock Recall, Gerard Pique Latest

Manchester United are reportedly interested in recalling the marginalised Nani early from his season-long loan to Sporting as the Red Devils look to improve upon a poor start to the season.

The Portuguese winger—who moved to Old Trafford from Lisbon in 2007—became a fringe player last season under David Moyes, making just seven Premier League starts, per Squawka.

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He was loaned back to his former club for the season as part of the deal to sign defender Marcos Rojo from Sporting, but now it seems new boss Louis van Gaal is interested in bringing the Portuguese international back, per Duncan Castles on Goal.com:

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One reason for United's changed stance is Louis van Gaal's decision to stand down the ill-considered 5-3-2 formation with which he began his managerial reign. 

A switch to the 4-1-4-1 shape deployed against Chelsea and Manchester City has highlighted his squad's shortcomings on the wing, with only Angel Di Maria performing well in the role.

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Nani has certainly looked back to his best at Sporting as he has contributed three goals in the Champions League and netted twice in the Portuguese top flight, per WhoScored.com.

As Portuguese football writer Jan Hagen alluded to, it has been a terrific piece of business by Sporting, especially considering the deal involves United continuing to pay the majority of his wages:

Both the structure of the deal and Nani's form are against the Red Devils if they do indeed wish to recall the 27-year-old.

He has become a key player for Sporting, and as such, they are unlikely to agree to let him go early. Furthermore, as Castles reported, Nani's move partly funded Rojo's switch, thus the Lisbon outfit would want financial coverage if he were to not see out the season at Sporting.

Another man who could potentially be on his way back to Old Trafford is Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique, whose relationship with Camp Nou boss Luis Enrique is reportedly collapsing, per Santi Giminez in AS.

The former United defender has started just five of Barca's 10 La Liga games this season, and he was left out of the squad altogether last time out against Celta de Vigo and benched for the midweek Ajax game.

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The Red Devils are in desperate need of reinforcements at the back and are reported to be interested in a January move for Pique, per Barcelona-based SPORT (h/t Dave Wood in the Daily Mail).

The 27-year-old Spain international has great experience at the highest level having won two Champions League titles and a World Cup among many other medals. However, there are those warning of his faults, like Spanish football journalist Rafael Hernandez:

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If Piqué leaves and performs well in England we’ll inevitably hear “Barcelona didn’t use him well”. Actually he’s lazy and irresponsible.

— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) November 5, 2014"

However, he would bring some much-needed experience and authority to a United side who are currently relying on the inconsistent likes of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones in the centre of defence.

It is absolutely critical that Van Gaal strengthens his defence in the new year, and Pique could well be the answer, but any recall of Nani seems unlikely and unnecessarily costly.