Will Manchester United buy a midfielder this January Transfer window?

David Moyes’ early stint as the manager of Manchester United has been somewhat hit and miss. In the January transfer window, however, he has an opportunity to buy big and sign players who will bolster United’s challenge for silverware. Moyes has to buy smart, though.
January is not a month in which United should be thinking too far ahead in the future. Rather, Moyes must address the failings in the squad that have become so evident in the early stages of the season. He has to make astute signings and here’s how he can do that.

Moyes Must Sign a Midfielder

It’s the worst-kept secret in football; United need to sign a central midfielder. The last-minute signing of Marouane Fellaini, compounded by his and Tom Cleverley’s poor form, is evidence of the fact that Moyes’ focus will be on signing a world-class central midfielder. And, in order to avoid a repeat of the Belgian’s capture, that midfielder has to be genuinely world-class. Quite simply, it should be the priority.
Many names have been touted, but a few stand out. Ander Herrera and Ilkay Gundogan certainly fit the bill, and either or both would significantly improve United’s midfield.
Gundogan, in particular, would be a shrewd acquisition.
Another midfielder the Red Devils have been linked with is Atletico Madrid’s Koke. It’s a speculative signing, though, since the Spaniard has no real reason to depart one of Europe’s top sides on current form.

Man United’s interest in Herrera was factual but they decided not to pay 36m euros for him. They are not going to go for him again and he is happy to stay. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever for Koke to leave Atletico when they can win the league, he is such an important part of the team and there is a World Cup coming up.

January is a notoriously tricky month when it comes to signing world-class players. Not only are clubs unwilling to sell, but it rarely makes sense for players to make a big move in the middle of the season.

That’s especially true of this campaign, which precedes the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It’s doubtful whether the very best players would be willing to move with such a prestigious event just around the corner.

That being said, Moyes can still have a successful January transfer window if he is smart in his approach. A midfielder and a creative, attacking player would represent a good month for United, while the sole signing of a left-back would be disastrous.

It will be interesting to see how Moyes approaches the transfer window, because it will prove telling at such an early stage of his tenure. We just have to wait and see how it all unfolds.