Manchester United: 7 Transfer Players That Could Help Them Win the Title

Last week, in the wake of Manchester United's shocking 6-1 loss in the Manchester derby, we suggested players for Sir Alex Ferguson to bring to Old Trafford in January.

They could help the Red Devils bounce back.

Among those names were defensive midfielders (Bruno Soriano), centre backs (Gary Cahill) and a whole host of creative midfielders (Mario Götze and Wesley Sneijder among them).

United saw some improvement over the weekend against Everton, getting past some of the toughest defenders in the Premiership for a 1-0 win. But there's a long way to go until May and Fergie's sought-after 20th Premier League title.

Here are seven more players who could help United seal the deal. As always, if you have thoughts on our picks or have some suggestions of your own, please tell us in the comments. 

Thiago Alcântara

The 20-year-old central midfielder is beginning to come into his own at Barcelona after being appointed to the first team over the summer.

He wowed in his starting debut, scoring a goal and providing two assists against Villarreal. Since then, the alumnus of the famed La Masia academy has held his own covering for veteran midfielder Andrés Iniesta. 

A pacy, precise and creative presence on the pitch, Sir Alex has considered Alcântara as being capable of filling some big shoes at Old Trafford as well—those of Paul Scholes. The midfielder was on his transfer radar over the summer, but he chose to stay at Camp Nou instead.

Barça will want to hold on to him, as he remains a skilled and durable standby in their rather injury-prone and aging midfield. With Alcântara's rising prominence within the squad, perhaps a move at this point will be difficult to come by.

But he'd certainly be great to have if Sir Alex wanted to make the gamble and put in another bid.

Nicolás Gaitán

Insane speculation about a £40 million move (the amount reportedly specified in his release clause) to Old Trafford for Benfica's left-sided attacker aside, Nicolás Gaitán could very well prove to be a vital boost to United's midfield. 

Gaitán, a versatile, creative midfielder and winger, has been electrifying so far this season, particularly in the Champions League.

He has provided more assists in the competition than any other player.

United know this all too well—when they faced off against the Eagles in a September Champions League fixture, it was off an impressive assist from Gaitán that Oscar Cardozo was able to equalize and force a draw.

The 23-year-old could bring some much-needed cohesion and vitality to the midfield, and he's been discussed as a possible Paul Scholes heir-apparent or alternative to a Wesley Sneijder-type figure.

Gaitan says he's happy at Benfica, and his contract is now on until 2016. Hence the reports of that hefty buyout clause.

But he's aware of the fickle nature of fame and fan reception, and the speculation around the transfer window works both ways—for every crazy rumor about a player leaving, a player who denies rumors of a transfer move may surprise at the end. 

As he was quoted as saying, “We agreed with the club and I am very pleased to renew my contract. I hope to fulfill the agreement. The club treats me very well and I feel very comfortable over here. I'm relaxed and I will continue to do, what I have been doing on the field. Fans treat me very well. But today you may be in a less kind period and another time can be good."

Riccardo Montolivo

Fiorentina's deep-lying play-maker has been linked with pretty much everyone, including Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and up until very recently, AC Milan.

Now, Manchester United have joined the chase to bring him on, with the club reportedly sending scouts to monitor Montolivo's performance in Italy's Euro 2012 qualifier victory over Northern Ireland earlier this month.

One of the most technically gifted veteran midfielders in Italy, Montolivo has been called the next Andrea Pirlo and has been hailed for his brilliant passing game. He could bring cohesion and composure to United's midfield.

But at 26, he is grazing the ceiling of the ideal age for United signings, and Fergie may be inclined to look for someone younger. 

According to a report in the Metro, Fiorentina have said they would release Montolivo over the summer on a free transfer. A January move for him would be up in the air as Fiorentina fights to make some strides in Serie A.

But with the Viola barely in the top half of the Italian league and looking out of Scudetto contention, perhaps Montolivo can be wooed away sooner. 

Looking to Everton: Jack Rodwell or Ross Barkley

A potential key to United's success could lie in their opponents from over the weekend—Everton. 

David Moyes and Sir Alex are similar in that they both have a knack for eyeing and developing promising young talent.

It certainly wouldn't be the first time Fergie has brought in a promising young firecracker from Goodison Park and turned him into a United player for life (starts with a "W," ends in "ayne Rooney.").

Two promising prospects have emerged among possible United targets from David Moyes's flock—Jack Rodwell and Ross Barkley.

Following an injury that kept him on the bench before this season, 17-year-old Merseyside native Ross Barkley has made only a handful of appearances for the Toffees, but he has impressed in all of them. Martin Keown even remarked that "he'll be one of the best players of the game we'll ever see in this country."

But acquiring Barkley may prove to be a tough task, as Chelsea have also been linked to a move to bring him on and David Moyes has been adamant that his star prodigy is not for sale. 

Although no formal strides have been made for Rodwell at this point, he would perhaps be the better option at this point.

Rodwell recently made his 100th appearance for Everton before his 21st birthday. He was previously poised to sign for United, but the Red Devils never sealed the deal after the defensive midfielder showed a late-season drop in form.

Now, he's finding his form again for the Toffees and becoming a fixture in the defense. He has the strength and versatility to eventually develop in the role of a centre back. And he has plenty of Premiership experience, which United need to make a priority for a midfielder signing in January.

Considering Everton's financial woes and Moyes's previous remarks that every player has his price, he may be swayed to send Rodwell to United in exchange for a sizable sum and the opportunity to develop Ross Barkley. 

2 From Juventus: Claudio Marchisio and Milos Krasic

Juventus have been on fire this season, sitting high atop Serie A and looking like extremely likely Scudetto contenders.

So it comes as no surprise that two of its key players have emerged on Manchester United fans' wish lists—attacking midfielders Claudio Marchisio and Miloš Krasić.

As with Riccardo Montolivo, attacker and winger Miloš Krasić is near the age ceiling for United prospects, but he comes with serious accolades, from comparisons to Pavel Nedved to a Serbian Player of the Year award in 2009.

Krasić is versatile, experienced, has played in European competition with CSKA Moscow and is a skilled dribbler. He could certainly fill in for any number of aging or retired United stars, among them Paul Scholes or Michael Carrick. 

United also have Krasić's Serbian national teammate, Nemanja Vidić, who could be employed in swaying him towards Old Trafford.  

But it doesn't look as though he will leave the Bianconeri any time soon.

Krasić has been quoted as saying he is flattered by the interest from big clubs but will be staying at Juventus and that the transfer rumors are "just nonsense." 

A rather dubious report from CrunchSports has suggested United will make a move for 25-year-old attacker Claudio Marchisio in January. He would be a long shot but could certainly bring firepower and versatility to United's midfield.

Marchisio has been impressing in Serie A so far this season, scoring a dazzling double against a formidable AC Milan late in the match to break a draw.

But with Juventus being such a force this season, he may not be inclined to leave. The only thing that could potentially draw him would be the temptation of European competition, assuming he is eligible.