Manchester United transfer news: How Red Devils could line-up at end of January window with Douglas Costa and 141m duo

Manchester United transfer news: How Red Devils could line-up at end of January window with Douglas Costa and 141m duo
Manchester United are expected to be one of the busiest clubs throughout the January transfer window, which officially opened on New Year’s Day.Ole Gunnar Solskajer is overseeing the club’s transfer business following his appointment as caretaker manager last month, succeeding Jose Mourinho when the Portuguese was sacked.4

Solskjaer has enjoyed a wonderful start to life as Man United’s caretaker manager

Signings are expected and some big names could also leave, but how could United look come the end of the window and the start of February?talkSPORT.com have assessed the possibilities and built a potential Manchester United line-up after the close of the January window.You can see the team below…

---

Solskjaer has preferred a 4-2-3-1 system since his appointment as caretaker manager, utilising the same basic set-up as Mourinho but with a much more offensive mindset.A large core of the team will remain the same beyond January and into the foreseeable future, with the likes of David De Gea, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku forming a solid enough spine throughout the centre of the team.Where this spine is weakest, however, is in defence.Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo are clearly not of therequisite quality to remain starters for a team with Manchester United’s ambitions, while Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly seem to exist on the cusp of being good; the pair have shown flashes of talent, but no one thinks they are worth building a side around.It is no surprise, then, that bringing a new central defender to Old Trafford is seen as a priority.Mourinho was angered by the club’s failure to sign a centre-back throughout the summer, and it appears those in charge are ready to give in to the Portuguese’s wishes – a month after they sacked him.Kalidou Koulibaly, the Senegal and Napoli star, is allegedly Man United’s prime target, but it will cost a pretty penny to secure his signature; The Guardian say Napoli will only sell the 27-year-old for 107million.4

Koulibaly would be a top class signing for Manchester United

Man United may be willing to match this fee to bring one of the world’s finest defenders to Old Trafford, and they could spend a further 34million on another centre-half to partner Koulibaly.Roma’s Kostas Manolas has also been linked with Man United, and the Mirror claim the Red Devils are ready to trigger the Greece international’s release clause.A centre-back partnership of Koulibaly and Manolas would instantly see Man United’s defence rated as one of the best in the Premier League, and they would be joined by Luke Shaw – who has been perhaps the club’s best player this season – on the left flank, and Ashley Young on the right; despite Diogo Dalot’s recent rise to prominence, Young has been preferred as a starter by Solskjaer.The midfield three appears likely to remain as is, with Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera playing just behind Paul Pogba, who has really burst to life since Solskjaer moved him higher up the pitch to the number 10 position. Romelu Lukaku is expected to continue as United’s first choice centre-forward, though he can rotate with Marcus Rashford, who himself is likely to rotate on the left flank with Anthony Martial.As he did with a central defender, Mourinho also campaigned for Man United to sign a right winger during much of his spell as manager. And, again, United may now splash the cash on one of Mourinho’s targets after his dismissal.The Red Devils are believed to have bid 54million for Douglas Costa, the Juventus and Brazil forward, who has proven his quality at the elite level since joining Bayern Munich in 2015.He may be tempted to leave Juve in January given the reduced game time he has had to deal with this season, with just four league starts recorded since the beginning of the campaign.4

Costa’s time in Italy could be coming to an end

Costa would be bought to become a guaranteed first team starter, and he could solve the right flank problem that has plagued United over the last few years.A signing made last January to solve this problem has not worked out; questions remain over Alexis Sanchez’s long-term future at United, and he could be sold this month.Man United are unlikely to complete further business given they still do not know who their manager will be beyond the end of the season, but with these three signings Solskjaer will have a truly formidable starting line-up for the remainder of the 2018/19 campaign.4

---

What Liverpool need to do to qualify for Champions League knockout stages explained LIVERPOOL face a make or break clash with Napoli in the Champions League and Express Sport can tell you exactly
What Liverpool need from last group game vs. Napoli to

---

Chelsea reached the Carabao Cup final after beating Tottenham 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw on aggregate. to send the semi-final to a penalty shootout. will face Manchester City in
Chelsea beat Tottenham to reach Carabao Cup Final on

---

Top 10 most valuable brands in football, including Barcelona, Manchester United, and Real Madrid Which club's are worth the most, according to experts in their field? By Anton Stanley
Real Madrid, Man United and football's 10 most valuable

---

Jan 27, 2019 · Notts County owner Alan Hardy has announced he has "very reluctantly" put the club up for sale but insisted the current league position, nor the current social media headlines surrounding him, are
Alan Hardy accepts offer to buy Notts County from 'credible

---

Tottenham can win the Premier League this season, former

---

Raheem Sterling offers funny explanation for FA Cup final

---

Leicester 0 Man United 1 Live on talkSPORT: Full commentary

---

Dec 18, 2018 · Manchester United set to appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker the former Paris-Saint Germain and France manager. of which three were in the top flight.Just over a year ago Solskjaer
Manchester United news: Calls to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

---

Champions League final: Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has a worryingly bad record against Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp Mauricio Pochettino will lock horns with Jurgen Klopp for the third time this season in the Champions talkSPORT - Published 6 days ago Also reported by •BBC Sport
How will Spurs, Liverpool line up for Champions League final

---

Tottenham fans get first glimpse inside new stadium at test event as they race to be ready for new Premier League season. Tottenham opened the doors to the new 61,000-seater stadium for the first time
Inside Tottenham's new stadium with Dele Alli | Football News

---

Yeovil threw away a two-goal lead as they were relegated to the National League after a 2-2 draw at Northampton on a dramatic day at the foot of League Two. The Glovers looked on course to give
Yeovil Town relegated from League Two - the immediate fallout

---

Will VAR be used in Champions League final between Tottenham and Liverpool? Tottenham and Liverpool face off in Madrid with the Champions League on the line Football.london - Published 6 days ago: Tottenham vs Liverpool: Spurs' new stadium sold out for Champions League final screening
Tottenham Fans Champions League Cup Final 2019 v Liverpool

---

Alex Iwobi is the only wide player in the current Arsenal squad and that has given Unai Emery a lot of problems this season tactically. The Gunners need to add width and pace to the squad if they
Transfer news live: Emery plans Arsenal five-star clearout

---