Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Fabio Coentrao and Paul Pogba Rumours

The January transfer window is just around the corner, and as one might expect, the rumour mill is working overtime busting out countless stories linking Manchester United with a host of star players every single day.

The busy summer window at Old Trafford illustrated the Red Devils' immense financial power and appeal to players all over the world, but fans expecting a similar story in January might be left disappointed.

The midseason window traditionally serves as an opportunity to strengthen key areas, not chase high-priced stars who have just invested half a season in their current clubs.

Let's dissect the latest rumours coming from Old Trafford.

United in for Fabio Coentrao—Again

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Real Madrid bench-warmer Fabio Coentrao is seemingly linked with every Premier League club every time a new transfer window opens, and according to the Daily Express' Anthony Chapman, this January will be no exception.

Liverpool, Arsenal and United are all reportedly chasing the Portugal international, who is "surplus to requirements" and "looks set to leave Carlo Ancelotti's side in the upcoming January transfer window."

Chapman quotes a £25 million transfer fee, fairly substantial for someone who has only started one La Liga match all season, per WhoScored.com. The 26-year-old may not be as available as Chapman thinks, however.

As shared by La Liga Time, Los Blancos' regular starter at the left-back position, Marcelo, is expected to miss the bulk of January after pulling up during the Club World Cup final. That stretch includes pivotal matches against Valencia and Real Madrid:

"

Marcelo is expected to be injured for three weeks and is unlikely to play against Valencia and Atlético de Madrid.

— La Liga Time (@laligatime) December 22, 2014"

Real have one natural replacement for the Brazil international, and that is Coentrao. Would Ancelotti feel comfortable heading into such an important stretch of fixtures with a new signing or no natural fit at all? Unlikely.

He also hasn't given any indication of being unhappy under the Italian manager, which rules out yet another reason why he would desire a transfer. AS English can't see any way he'd leave:

"

@English_AS cannot see Coentrao leaving in January; esp with Marcelo sidelined, also reports that he is "unsettled" seem unfounded.

— AS English (@English_AS) December 22, 2014"

The Red Devils could use help in defence, but first and foremost Louis van Gaal needs an experienced and quality centre-back. Coentrao is an out-and-out wide man, similar to talented youngster Luke Shaw, and spending £25 million on an area that doesn't require immediate attention seems like a waste.

Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey and Andy Brassell agree centre-backs are a far bigger need:

United need to spend in other areas before throwing money at a bench-warmer at another club—Coentrao has given no indication he wants to leave. Consider this rumour questionable at best.

Pogba Return Aided By...Manchester City?

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Sticking with the Daily Express, Ben Jefferson believes Manchester City's reported interest in former Chelsea youngster Kevin de Bruyne could help rivals United land former academy star Paul Pogba.

Reportedly, De Bruyne has replaced Pogba atop the Citizens' list of targets, freeing him up for Van Gaal to chase.

This would be great news if it wasn't for the fact the France international just signed a new contract with Juventus, per BBC Sport, or that he had this to say about his former club during an interview with BBC World News:

"

They left me out because they said I wanted to leave. That is disrespect. Maybe they didn't think they were making a mistake. Manchester United is a big club but you have to think about yourself.

You have to play. The coach told me there would be space to play, but I wasn't playing. I was training alone for one week.

"

The 21-year-old's beef was with the former coaching staff, but with bad memories surrounding his time in Manchester, why would he even consider a return? Especially given the fact the Red Devils won't be the only club interested in his services when he does decide to leave the Italian club.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson believes Paris Saint-Germain will launch a massive offer of their own next summer:

The chances of the supremely talented midfielder leaving Juventus in January are virtually nonexistent, and a transfer to a club the stature of PSG or Real Madrid makes more sense than a move back to Manchester in January.

Of course, the link to the Red Devils does make for a juicy transfer story, perhaps explaining why the Express ran with it. Football365's Daniel Storey perhaps put it best:

Sifting through transfer rumours to find the ones that actually make sense is never harder than just before a transfer window opens, and there's little doubt United will add to the squad in January.

However, as far as Coentrao and Pogba go, the odds are slim at best.

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