Ole Gunnar Solskjaer got his reign as interim Manchester United manager off to a perfect start with a 5-1 win over Cardiff, although the comprehensive victory cannot mask the fact that further improvements are needed if the Red Devils are to move up the Premier League table.
United are a massive 19 points behind league leaders Liverpool and Solskjaer would no doubt be keen to add to his Manchester United squad when the transfer window opens in January. Solskjaer has said he will have money to spend, despite the fact he is only pencilled in to be manager until the summer, and we have picked out three potential targets…
Josh King (Bournemouth)
The Sun are reporting that United are eyeing up a bid for the £25m-rated Bournemouth forward Josh King, who played for United between 2008 and 2013. The Norwegian made only two appearances, totalling a paltry 14 minutes, during his time at Old Trafford but he is a much-improved player nowadays.
King has thrived under Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, scoring 31 goals in the past three Premier League seasons, and the 26-year-old should be the kind of fluent, attacking player that United look to sign going forward as they bid to move away from the dreary era of Jose Mourinho.
Eder Militao (Porto)
The priority for United will be to improve their woeful defence as they again failed to keep a clean sheet on Saturday, with Cardiff’s consolation goal ensuring United have now conceded in 16 of their 18 league games this season.
Kalidou Koulibaly has been touted as a potential signing but the Napoli star could cost upwards of £90m, so it may be prudent to find a cheaper alternative in January.
Porto’s Eder Militao has been linked with a move to Old Trafford by The Sun On Sunday and the 20-year-old would be one for the future.
Capped by the Brazilian national team for the first time earlier this term, Militao has been superb for the Portuguese giants this season and played a starring role in their qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Militao could cost in the region of £40m but that would be a long-term investment, while United will be interested to know that there is currently a termination clause in the player’s contract. Porto are desperately trying to tie him down to a new deal.
Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham)
This is shaping up to be one of the longest running transfer rumours in history as Toby Alderweireld continues to be linked with a move to United. Tottenham may be forced to listen to offers for the influential Belgian in January as his contract expires in the summer, but will United want to spend around £30m for a defender who turns 30 in May