Manchester United Transfer News: Signings Who Can Bring Back the Glory Days

After last season's disastrous seventh-place finish under David Moyes, Manchester United are slowly but surely making their way back to the top. It's clear, though, that more investment will be needed to restore United's dominance in English football.

United currently sit fourth in the Premier League table. As much as this demonstrates their improvement under Louis van Gaal, it likewise shows that a return to the glory days of Sir Alex Ferguson is still some way off.

The Red Devils have been linked with plenty of names in January, so here are the players who can bring the good times back to Old Trafford.

Thomas Muller

According to Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star, United have been put on "red alert" after Muller revealed a desire to leave Bayern Munich in search of a new challenge.

Muller has a good relationship with Van Gaal, who made the German a regular fixture in his Bayern team in 2009.

He said, "It's no secret that Louis van Gaal and I have a relationship that goes a little beyond the normal relationship between coaches and players."

The unassuming Muller is not the most technically gifted of players, and as Raphael Honigstein of The Guardian notes, he doesn't carry himself the way other international footballers tend to. 

However, there can be little doubt the forward is a fantastic player and would add much to United's side.

The 25-year-old is younger and fitter than the Red Devils' current forward options.

Wayne Rooney is now 29, and Robin van Persie 31.

Meanwhile, there continues to be doubts over Radamel Falcao's fitness and long-term future at Old Trafford after he was left out of the squad in the 1-0 defeat to Southampton, per Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail.

Per WhoScored.com, the German is also very versatile and can play in forward or midfield roles:

WhoScored

This would allow Muller to free up Rooney from the central midfield role he has frequently found himself in under Van Gaal—one in which he has failed to convince.

Perhaps Muller's greatest skill is his inherent ability to find space and use it to devastating effect. Indeed, this ability is such a key part of his game that he has been christened "Ramdeuter," or "space finder." Examples of this can be seen below at 1:20 and 2:09:

Muller's efficient use of space has seen him score 109 goals since his breakthrough season in 2009. He also contributes plenty of assists, racking up 50 in the Bundesliga in that time.

His acquisition would be a massive step in United's return to their fearsome quality of old, more or less on par with Angel Di Maria.

Muller is not as technically intricate as those usually favoured by Pep Guardiola, and this could mean the Spaniard will be more open to letting him go should the right offer arrive.

A superstar signing like Muller will be a long shot in January, but it's not beyond the realm of possibility.

Mats Hummels

The classy defender is a long-term target for United, and according to Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express, he is actively searching for a way out of Borussia Dortmund with the club struggling in the Bundesliga.

Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari and the Daily Mirror's Nooruddean Choudry added fuel to the fire on Twitter:

The Dortmund captain has become world-renowned as an excellent centre-back in recent years, and he's exactly what United need.

The Red Devils have failed to inspire at the back since the decline and departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. 

The likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were brought in, but neither has made the centre-back position his own.

At 6'3", Hummels is a commanding presence in defence and at 26 has plenty of years at the top ahead of him.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

A key member of Germany's World Cup-winning squad, Hummels was named in the All-Star XI in Brazil. The experience he would bring dwarfs the rest of United's defence, and his solidity at the back would restore balance to the team.

A player of Hummels' quality won't come cheap, so Van Gaal will need to muster at least £30 million to prise him away from Dortmund. 

Like with Muller, a January coup would be a stunning move from United. The rumours touting a move continue to grow momentum, though, so we could be seeing Hummels don a red shirt sooner rather than later.

Aymeric Laporte

Fichajes.net (via Jamie Sanderson of Metro) reports that Athletic Bilbao's Laporte is "packing up bags" ahead of a move to United, with the transfer all but complete.

A younger and cheaper option than Hummels, Laporte is a very talented prospect.

At just 20 years old, Laporte is already a key fixture in Bilbao's back line. The Frenchman was one of La Liga's five nominees for 2014's European Golden Boy award—which Raheem Sterling ultimately won.

According to Squawka, the youngster made 59 tackles last season, winning 61 percent of his aerial duels and making 187 clearances.

Laporte has continued that form into this year, already winning 32 tackles and 59 percent of his duels overall—a figure equalled only by Ander Herrera at United.

The graphic below, courtesy of FourFourTwo's Stats Zone, shows Laporte's defensive performance in Bilbao's 3-0 win over Levante earlier this season:

FourFourTwo's Stats Zone

As shown above, Laporte made five tackles, five clearances and a phenomenal seven interceptions. 

WhoScored.com reports that Laporte has made roughly four interceptions per game this season, so the centre-back clearly reads the game well for someone of his age.

The defender has also made five UEFA Champions League appearances this campaign and hasn't looked out of place there, either.

Laporte would not only make a very strong long-term signing for United, but he also would be able to slot straight into the first team.

His youth ensures he could be a fixture in Van Gaal's defence for many years to come, which is essential as the Dutchman bids to recreate the glory days United are so used to.

His transfer appears to be imminent, so expect to see Laporte outshining Smalling by the end of the month.