Keys to a Successful January Transfer Window for Manchester United

As the January transfer window approaches, Manchester United sit in third place in the Premier League, 10 points off the leaders. 

In order to close that gap, or at least to ensure that others do not usurp the European qualification places, what does manager Louis van Gaal need his club to do for him in the window? 

Let's take a look at four key moves which could help strengthen United's position. 

Right-Back Cover

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Bruce Archer of the Daily Star reports that Van Gaal is interested in Seamus Coleman. Coleman would be a superb signing, as United are very short at right-back. 

With Rafael the only natural choice for the position, Van Gaal has had to move to a back three in order for Antonio Valencia to play as a wing-back, rather than using a traditional full-back. 

Rafael's lack of availability through injury has hardly come as a surprise given his history. Relying on him to remain fit for the rest of the season would seem to be a high-risk maneuver, and Van Gaal would be well served by adding cover to the position. 

Central Midfield Improvements and Cover

Kevin Strootman has repeatedly been discussed as a United target, per, for example, James Orr of The Independent. 

In spite of the additions of Daley Blind and Ander Herrera, United have still been caught short in terms of numbers in midfield. Van Gaal has played Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata in midfield over the Christmas period, and while the two add a good deal to United's attacking play, their talents would perhaps be best used further forward. 

Strootman would be a fine buy, but if he does not come, an alternative should be found to strengthen United's central midfield options. 

Senior Central Defender

Like Strootman, Mats Hummels is a player who has long been linked with United, per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News.

United's defence has become considerably less permeable during recent months, and the side have not conceded more than one goal in a game since October; however, the sense that a more senior figure should be brought in remains, especially given the injury records of all of the current senior defenders.

Hummels would be a good option, although given Dortmund's precarious position in the Bundesliga, it is easy to imagine the player wanting to stay for the rest of the season in order to help his side. 

Nemanja Vidic has been linked with a move back to United, per Steve Millar of the Daily Star. Given his poor Serie A form, there is no guarantee that Vidic would improve United on the pitch, but he could add some leadership and experience to the dressing room. 

Sign Victor Valdes

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Spanish newspaper Marca are reporting that United are close to a deal for goalkeeper Victor Valdes (h/t Alex Shaw of the Daily Star).

David De Gea's superb form has been a key part of United's recent good run of form, and it would be an enormous boon for the club to retain his services in the long term.

However, in the short term, increasing the quality of the second-choice option should De Gea suffer an injury would be an eminently sensible and apparently achievable goal. Signing Valdes would significantly boost the strength of United's squad for the rest of the season.