Man Utd finally defeat Man City as the player they wanted to signing this summer finally arrive Old Trafford with his agent as paper his under Erik Ten Hag care

 

Joao Felix and Antoine Griezmann have both been linked with a move to United (Image: 2020 Soccrates Images B.V.)

Work is well under way as Manchester United go in search of a new signing in the January transfer window, though that doesn't make finding one any easier.

Erik ten Hag knows he has already been backed with more money than he anticipated at this stage of his rebuild, but desperate times call for desperate measures following Cristiano Ronaldo's exit from the club.

United had initially planned for a quiet winter window, but they now accept that they must be in the market for a signing who could well dictate the success of their season.

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Having already broken their spending record across a single window with £225million of investment across the past summer, United might well prefer a low-cost option next month, but there is also an argument to suggest spending big once is more beneficial than having to address the position again at the end of the season.

United wouldn't have to spend much to find a player capable of replacing the three goals Ronaldo netted for them this season, though they would need to spend a lot if they wanted to add another superstar of his calibre.

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With the focus on trying to end their trophy drought at the end of the campaign, United need players who not only have talent but the right mentality to match it, something that could be addressed next month.

When asked if it would be easier to manage United without Ronaldo recently, Ten Hag took the opportunity to hint he would be open to another big-name addition: "No. I like to work with world-class players. I know they can make a difference and help you to achieve your objectives. That is why you want to have such players in your dressing room."

Since taking over, Ten Hag has made it clear that he wants to sign serial winners, and it would most certainly be the preference if they do dip into the market again next month.

Casemiro is the leading example of that, and he has been a revelation since he moved to Old Trafford with his leadership both on and off the pitch. Christian Eriksen is another experienced professional who has impressed with his virtuoso displays.

There is an argument that Lisandro Martinez has been the Premier League's best defender this season, and he should only improve further when he returns from his World Cup triumph.

With the additions of Martinez, Casemiro and Eriksen there is a superstar spine to the United side this season, though there is perhaps still a lack of such quality in the forward line at this moment in time.

Antony is still a work in progress who is yet to fully command a match on his own, but he has shown enough flickers of brilliance to suggest he is destined for the top bracket.

The 22-year-old needs time if he is ever going to have any chance of doing that, though time is not on their side in the fight for a top-four finish this season.

Ten Hag is eager to implement a fresh sense of unity and camaraderie at United, but he is aware that matches at the top level are often decided by moments of high quality in both boxes.

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With those summer additions, he has made United a much harder team to breakdown at the back; now he needs to find a way to sharpen a blunt forward line. Even before Ronaldo left, this was the case, and it is an issue that has only been amplified more so since he left the club.

United don't only need a new forward; they need one with star quality to match.

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