Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Adnan Januzaj, Alexandre Pato Rumours

Louis van Gaal is considering reinforcing his Manchester United attack with Adnan Januzaj, who has so far failed to make an impact during his loan at Borussia Dortmund. 

Simon Mullock of the Mirror reported United feel the player will get more game time at Old Trafford after only starting twice for BVB since his loan move to the Bundesliga. 

United's wide areas have looked tired and devoid of creativity this term, and Januzaj could add the trickery needed to supply Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial. 

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The Manchester Evening News' James Robson said Van Gaal would give the young Belgian 12 months to prove himself, as he considers a move for Southampton's Sadio Mane:

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The United manager’s current contract has less than two years to run on it and the indications are that he will stick to his intention to retire in 2017.

While he has remained positive about Januzaj’s prospects as one of the club’s rising talents, his decision to send him out on loan spoke volumes.

Van Gaal rejected interest from Paris St Germain and Everton last season as he assessed a player once considered one of the most exciting young talents in Europe.

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Team	Played	Goals	Assists
Borussia Dortmund	2(6)	0	0
Manchester United	2	1	0

Januzaj is very familiar with Van Gaal's philosophy, but it is questionable whether the manager will see him as a solution to the current goal drought.

However, if he is planted on the BVB bench, he would be better use to United as they battle to stay in England's top four. 

Januzaj was given Ryan Giggs' No. 11 shirt recently, and he has not suddenly become a bad player overnight. LvG's tactics can constrict his attack at times, forcing Januzaj to perform tasks outside of his creative remit, compromising his flair. 

But he can add weight to the squad while Memphis Depay finds his feet, as the Dutch international has been disappointing since his transfer in the summer. 

Liverpool Beat United To Pato

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United appear to have lost out to Liverpool in the race for Alexandre Pato's signature after Corinthians confirmed a deal is close with Jurgen Klopp's side. 

The Brazilian club's president Roberto de Andrade told Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb.com (h/t Colin Harvey of the Daily Star) the Anfield giants have "agreed" to bring Pato to the Premier League, dashing coach Louis van Gaal's chances of strengthening his faltering attack:

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There is an agreement in principle with Liverpool for the transfer in the coming weeks. Pato had long expressed a desire to return to Europe.

Liverpool await, there are a few missing details, but Klopp will have a new reinforcement and for Pato the Premier League will be a new springboard.

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Pato will cost Liverpool £14.3 million, offering reinforcement to Klopp's perennially injured striker lineup.

The former Brazil international had previously been heavily linked to the Red Devils after admitting the Old Trafford club had moved for him in the last transfer window, per Harvey, but it now seems he will be moving to the north west with United's traditional rivals.

Writer Ahmed Wagih recently shared a video of Pato's form for his loan club:

Pato recently revealed he will be on the move in the near future after his loan spell at Sao Paulo ends, and he has been targeted by United, Tottenham and West Ham United, per Uche Amako of the Express:

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I will not stay in Sao Paulo next year. I watched an interview with [interim Sao Paulo president] Leco and he said it is very difficult to sign me.

I want to help Sao Paulo in this final stretch, these five very important games, because I want to put the team into the Copa Libertadores.

I see no problem. I'm a professional and I have to always do my job.

I want to devote my best to them and go on vacation with a feeling of accomplishment.

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The 26-year-old would have added a different dimension to LvG's attack, injecting experience and skill into the forward line.

He was one of the most highly-rated teenagers in world football when he joined AC Milan in 2007, but his five-year spell ended in failure as the attacker's form alarmingly slumped. 

However, Pato was a regular goalscorer in Serie A, and if he has learned from his time in European football he has a great chance of success in England. 

As no deal has been officially announced, Van Gaal has an opportunity to outbid Liverpool, but it depends on how much the Dutchman wants the player. 

United's attack has performed poorly in recent matches, scoring only four goals in their last six games, per WhoScored.com.