Manchester United Transfers: 7 Players That Could Help Them Bounce Back

Even for a team that went unbeaten on the season until this weekend, the past couple of weeks have not been particularly kind to Sir Alex Ferguson's side. Although they defeated their last Champions League opponents, FC Otelul Galati, it wasn't nearly as effortless of a win as most fans would have expected. And several consecutive weeks of lagging form came to a head with a devastating 6-1 loss to Manchester City at Old Trafford.

Now, after a few disappointing showings, the Red Devils may be looking to bring in some new blood to ensure top division title No. 20. Here are seven players that could fit the bill. As always, if you have additional suggestions, please tell us in the comments. 

Wesley Sneijder

One particular Manchester United transfer saga is looking more and more like Groundhog Day. 

The search for the creative Paul Scholes successor was thought to have ended with Tom Cleverley, but with Cleverley injured and needing time to return to form and develop, it may be practical to bring someone in on the interim. An attacking playmaker could help fill some of the holes in the current favored 4-4-2 and Sneijder is arguably the man for the job, although he will certainly come with a hefty price tag. 

The question is would Sneijder be up for a change of scenery? He seems happy at Inter Milan, and recently said he never actually wanted to join United (didn't he say he almost did, like, a month ago? I don't even know anymore). But as the Nerazzurri are looking rather precarious this season, and Sneijder, like many world-class players, may be on the hunt for some silverware, a January move may be in the cards after all. It ain't over until deadline day's over, folks. 

Marek Hamšík

While we're talking exciting playmakers, let's talk Marek Hamšík.

Hamšík has been the subject of United transfer rumors for a while now, and it's no surprise why. A dazzling playmaker for white-hot Serie A side Napoli, the talented Mr. Hamšík has helped the Azzurri's profile rise and has made them serious contenders for this year's Scudetto and a surprise force in the Champions League tournament. He could fulfill the same Paul Scholes-style role as United hoped Sneijder would fulfill in August, and likely come at a (slightly) cheaper price. 

Hamšík is reportedly looking to leave Napoli over the summer, and apparently tried to put in transfer requests last summer, which were blocked by Azzurri club president Aurelio de Laurentiis. If he makes a move, United will be among the clubs ready to jump at the chance to sign the Slovakian superstar.

Gary Cahill

We here at Bleacher Report don't condone activities that may be hazardous to your health, but there is a drinking game that could be potentially played with all the talk of January transfer rumors and targets. Every time Gary Cahill's name comes up, everybody drink! 

This wouldn't have even seemed like a possibility even a month ago, when it felt like every other Premiership team was after Bolton Wanderers' star centre-back. But if this weekend's loss to Manchester City proves anything, it's that Manchester United might need another centre-back in the rotation. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling could very well take the first-team roles eventually, but a little more time for them to develop wouldn't hurt and Smalling works just as well as a full-back.

Jonny Evans could be great eventually but is still making rookie mistakes and is generally inconsistent. And despite what he continues to say, Rio Ferdinand's days at United appear numbered, especially after this past weekend, when his performance drew the ire of Sir Alex.

So why not replace Rio Ferdinand with the man who has succeeded him on the England squad? Cahill is better in the air and on the ground and has plenty of Premiership experience, making him an optimal candidate. 

Bruno Soriano

A skilled, experienced defensive midfielder will likely be on Sir Alex Ferguson's wish list for January, and after this weekend's loss to Manchester City, it could be argued the club needs another in the roster.

One of the more recent candidates rumored to be in contention is Villarreal's Bruno Soriano. He's dynamic, capable of playing deep and is one of La Liga's most precise tacklers. As another BR writer recently pointed out, his interception rate towers above the rest of La Liga and he's even outperformed the likes of Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano in this regard. 

Although at 27, Soriano is quite a bit older than the typical United signing, he certainly has the desired skill set. He could be the heir apparent to replace Michael Carrick and is certainly more of a consistent, exciting presence on the pitch than Carrick right now. The only question is whether or not he'll be willing to leave the Yellow Submarine. 

Mateo Kovačić

The "new Messi" / "young Luka Modric" / [insert extremely flattering, expectation-laden nickname here] first caught the eyes of the big European clubs while he was playing for the LASK Linz academy at the age of 13.

A creative, speedy player with impressive dribbling and a whirlwind of hype already surrounding him, Kovačić could supplement the midfield with speed and vision.

United has expressed interest in him in the past, as have the likes of Arsenal and Juventus, and as his profile continues to rise, the fight to sign him on will only be more competitive. He may be a bit too young to be the savior of United, especially as so many promising up-and-comers are still present, but his arrival could certainly provide a spark in the midfield.

The Dortmund Double-Whammy: Shinji Kagawa and Mario Götze

Borussia Dortmund's dynamic attacking midfield duo of Shinji Kagawa and Mario Götze have both been linked to January bids from the Old Trafford side, and either could could give the creative, energetic jumpstart to the midfield it needs. 

Kagawa experienced a recent drop in form as he recovered from a broken foot sustained in the AFC Asia Cup, but he is improving and recent international performances looked promising, not to mention his scorching goal in the opening minutes of Dortmund's 5-0 routing of F.C. Köln. If he continues on this path and keeps performing to his full potential, he could be an exciting asset to United's midfield.

Mario Götze is a name that has come up a lot in relation to United since August, and it's clear the 19-year-old playmaker oozes potential. A speedy, creative and exciting attacker, Götze is a strong candidate to become the next Paul Scholes or an alternative to Wesley Sneijder if that continues to be a priority for Sir Alex, but as with Sneijder, he won't come cheap. 

Kagawa would certainly be a likelier bet, as it doesn't appear as though Götze will leave Dortmund, at least not in January, and Kagawa seems interested in trying out the Premiership. But as last-season giants Dortmund lag in the Bundesliga and look as though they may not be able to pass the first group stage of the Champions League, these rising stars may seek other pastures—like the green of Old Trafford.