1. Jores Okore
United manager Alex Ferguson isn’t really one for “marquee signings” and splashing wads of cash on the worlds most expensive talents these days, rather he prefers to invest in young talent with a re-sale value – think Phil Jones, Tom Cleverley, Chris Smalling, David de Gea – even Cristiano Ronaldo.
That’s why Jores Okore is one of his top priority transfer targets for the January window.* Despite some ugly, heavy defeats sustained by Nordjaelland in the Champions League this season – like the 6-1 pasting Chelsea handed them in the Group Stages – Okore has come through all that as the one shining light from a side that was essentially whipping-boy-material.
He is only 20 and has already been capped three times at senior level for Denmark. Many say he is in the same mould as Vidic but he has impressed with both his speed and aerial attributes at centre-back so far.
Okore is currently worth about £3million, but given his potential, United could be expecting to pay somewhere closer to £15million for the exciting young prospect.
2. Leighton Baines
With left-back Patrice Evra’s career at Old Trafford now in its twilight years, Sir Alex Ferguson will have to look for a replacement one day soon, and Everton’s Leighton Baines is on his radar.
Baines has been one of David Moyes’ most important players in recent seasons, not just in defensive positions but in contributing with assists and set-pieces. The Englishman is similar to Evra in that he is a goal-scoring defender and isn’t afraid to charge forward to join an attack – he has scored 13 times in 180 appearances for Everton so far.
Ferguson was reportedly interested in signing the player back in the summer over concerns about back-up options for Evra, and ended up signing Alexander Buttner from Vitesse Arnhem when the two clubs collided over Everton’s asking price. Fergie could be tempted to go in with another offer in January but will face stiff competition from Chelsea, who view Baines as the replacement to Ashley Cole.
3. Ryan Shawcross
Stoke have one of the best defensive records in the Premier League at present, having kept nine clean sheets so far this season. That is thanks largely to Ryan Shawcross, who has put in some stirring, commanding defensive performances in recent weeks to keep Tony Pulis’ side ticking over at the back.
Shawcross has been at Man United once before. He signed as a fifteen year old in 2002 but Ferguson let him go for just £1million four years ago, and he has been with the Potter’s ever since.
However, a buy-back clause was inserted as part of the deal for Shawcross to join Stoke, which allows the Red Devil’s first refusal if any clubs make an offer for the defender. United view Shawcross as the long-term replacement for Rio Ferdinand, however Stoke are set to offer the 25 year old a new 6-year deal, which would likely tie the defender down with the Potters for the rest of his playing career.
Ferguson will have to move fast if he is to land his man
4. Brede Hangeland
Brede Hangeland’s contract with Fulham runs out in June 2013, and manager Martin Jol has admitted that the Norwegian defender could leave Craven Cottage with a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the players future. The 30 year old has still yet to put pen to paper on a deal deal at Fulham and could join the likes of former key-player Clint Dempsey in walking out on the side.
His age is clearly a factor, but one of Hangeland’s traits is that he has been relatively injury-free for years – he played in every single Premier League game for Fulham last season and that’s precisely the sort of consistency at the back United need with Phil Jones, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic all so injury prone.
Hangeland also has a commanding aerial presence similar to that of Vidic but is a great passer of the ball, too. He has an 87.4% pass-success-rate from an average of 47 passes per-game, according to football statistics provider Whoscored.com. When you consider how many times United have given the ball away this season, that’s the sort of player you want in your side. He’d be cheap, too, since he is 30 – and could even join on a free next summer.
5. Filipe Luis
One of the positions United have looked short for cover on in recent seasons has been left-back. Patrice Evra can’t carry on forever and whilst Alexander Buttner was brought in recently as a stand-by replacement, The Red Devil’s really need proven quality in a position that has leaked so many goals this season.
Luis is positionally aware – one of the things Evra certainly is not – and knows how to track back and make a well-timed tackle, too. These are all qualities that would provide United with a bit more steel at the back.
But for the sensational form of Radamel Falcao, the Brazilian would have been Atletico Madrid’s player of the season last season, and such is the faith invested in him at Atletico, he recently signed a new five-year contract.
Even so, that shouldn’t deter Ferguson, and he is certainly a player worth inquiring in at least.
