Manchester United Transfers: 10 January Signings to Bring Title Glory

Manchester United at present are lying second in Group C of the UEFA Champions League. Further progression rests on their acquisition of certain players during and before the close of the January transfer window.

Man Utd’s 6-1 drubbing at the hands of neighbourhood rivals Manchester City less than two weeks ago will not go away anytime soon.

A repeat performance in the Premier League, or the Champions League for that matter, would be catastrophic, not only to their title aspirations in both competitions, but also to the players’ morale.

Apropos the UCL, only the best players at their respective positions will suffice if Man Utd are to lift the trophy in over six months time.

Here are 10 January signings to bring Man Utd a domestic, and perhaps European, triumph.

10. Thiago Alcântara

The 20-year-old Spaniard is definitely one for the future.

Currently plying his trade at Barca, Thiago Alcântara has made quite a name for himself in a short space of time—with three goals and three assists in the 17 games this season.

The huge obstacle facing Sir Alex Ferguson’s acquirement of Alcântara’s services is the fact that Barcelona might be unwilling to see their rising starlet leave the Nou Camp.

And if there was any doubt about their intentions of holding on to their midfield sensation, the €90 million buyout clause they recently slapped on Alcântara certainly cements the club's resolve to keep him.

Also, Goal.com reported that the midfielder has just signed a two-year extension to his existing contract, which was said to run out in 2013. This could all but scupper Man Utd’s purchase plans.

9. Riccardo Montolivo

Riccardo Montolivo has all the attributes to make the difference in a game and in addition to his attacking midfield role, he can drop back into a more defensive position.

The Fiorentina playmaker’s “regista” qualities have drawn comparisons to Juventus and Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

Besides Man Utd, several clubs—Arsenal, and most notably AC Milan, where it’s likely he’ll be heading in January transfer window—have shown an interest in the 26-year-old Italian.

Man Utd will have their work cut out for them if they want to hijack any potential move come January.

Montolivo, however, is worth his weight in gold.

And it’s a move, if successful, I’m sure Man Utd won’t regret in the near future.

8. Ricky Van Wolfswinkel

Ricky van Wolfswinkel would’ve been a great addition to the Man Utd squad in the summer, given his versatility and ability to play as either a striker or an attacking midfielder.

And linking up with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez could’ve produced some explosive moments, both in the Premier League and the Champions League.

The latest news, however, is that he’s declined a move to the Red Devils in favor of seeing out his contract with Sporting Lisbon, which runs until 2013.

As nothing is a given in football, some gentle persuasion and a lucrative offer could go a long way in tempting the young Dutchman to up sticks.

7. Bruno Soriano

Another player who would help Man Utd’s cause in the Champion’s League is Bruno Soriano.

The Villarreal and Spanish defensive midfielder, who can also position himself as a left-back, has garnered attention from Man Utd for his no-nonsense tackling and his businesslike approach to the game.

Sources close to the club, however, have put paid to that, insisting that it wouldn’t be viable for Soriano to leave Villarreal for Man Utd.

Also, his £22 million buyout clause could present a problem for the Man Utd hierarchy.

6. Nicolás Gaitán

The versatile left-sided winger has been on Sir Alex Ferguson’s radar for some time now, and for good reason.

Nicolás Gaitán's got all the hallmarks of Paul Scholes. If you add to that his individual skills, pace, and enthusiasm for the game, then he more or less should be able to fill the void left by the ex-Man Utd legend.

One of the impediments to Man Utd’s signing of the Benefica midfielder, however, is the fact that he and Benefica are currently riding high in the same group as Man Utd in the Champions League.

Save for that and his possible asking price, a potential move to Man Utd could be on the cards for the 20-year-old Argentine.

5. Claudio Marchisio

The Italian and Juventus midfielder is both adept in a defensive role, out wide, or in the centre of midfield.

Claudio Marchisio also possesses the ability to use both feet equally well, and more times than not, is willing to shoot at goal from outside the 18-yard-box.

Marchisio’s style of play has been likened to that of Roma’s Daniele De Rossi, and that can only be a good thing, given Man Utd’s interest in the Giallorossi midfielder earlier this year.

4. Miloš Krasić

Miloš Krasić, whose 18 months at Juventus have been far from eventful, now finds himself on the outside looking in.

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has consigned the Serbian winger to the benches, and I doubt that will change anytime soon.

Man Utd have been monitoring the 26-year-old's situation, and with recent doubt about him staying with club, the pacy winger might, and should, jump at the chance of leaving behind a career in Italy that he’d rather forget.

His comparisons with Andrei Kanchelskis and the thought that he could somewhat fill the role of Ryan Giggs could aid Man Utd in their quest for Champions League glory.

3. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

The once prolific striker for Dutch outfit Ajax seems to have found his goal-scoring touch for current club Schalke 04.

After mediocre spells at Real Madrid and AC Milan, where he amassed at total of 15 goals in 48 appearances, “The Hunter” is coming back to his best.

This season alone, Klass-Jan Huntelaar has score 21 goals in 18 games in all competitions.

The striker's form of late has attracted the notice of Man Utd, who perceive him as the fitting replacement for the out-of-favor Dimitar Berbatov.

I’m sure Huntelaar would welcome the change from Europa League to Champions League football.

2. Neven Subotić

With Man Utd’s interests centred toward midfielders and the like, their defense is highly imperative to their success both on the domestic front, but more so on the European stage.

Man Utd’s defense has been a bit of a shambles of late, and Sir Alex Ferguson is in the market for a solid centre-back with height, pace, physical presence and aerial clout.

Neven Subotić fits that mould.

Also, the 22-year-old Borussia Dortmund and Serbian defender would be the perfect successor to the injury prone Rio Ferdinand.

And on recommendation from Subotić’s fellow Serbian, Nemanja Vidic, Ferguson has put the defender high on his list of defensive priorities.

1. Mats Hummels

Mats Hummels and Neven Subotić form a cohesive unit as the core defense of Borussia Dortmund.

Hummels, also 22, has similar attributes to his teammate Subotić, and he is every bit the defensive general.

If the opportunity should arise, then a swoop for both Dortmund centre-backs would be a defensive scoop not only for the somewhat leaky defense of Man Utd, but could also lead to their ultimate success.