3 players Man Utd should have been targeting in January

Manchester United appear set to continue struggling on with the same crop of players as they approach the end of the January transfer window without a single signing.

We know money is tight - 90min reported early in the window that the focus would be on outgoings - but the likes of Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek and Hannibal Mejbri have all left on loan and United have done little to add to their squad ahead of the deadline.

Here are three players United should have been looking at this winter.

Serhou Guirassy

United's criteria for their next striker is clear. They want an experienced, cheap option to dovetail with Rasmus Hojlund and ease the pressure on the £72m man's shoulders.

Across Europe, there are few strikers who present better value for money that Stuttgart hitman Serhou Guirassy. The 27-year-old, who has 17 goals in just 14 Bundesliga games this year, has a release clause of around £15m in his contract.

Claims that Guirassy is a little flavour-of-the-month overlook his solid track record. He's undoubtedly enjoying his best run of form right now but Guirassy bagged 27 goals in three full seasons in Ligue 1 and is now on 28 in 18 months in Germany. It might not be the flashiest return, but United don't need it to be. They just need somebody who can be trusted to put the ball in the back of the net.

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Amadou Onana

Look, obviously Amadou Onana is too expensive for United to sign outright this winter. Reports have valued him at close to £60m and, considering United saw Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting as their dream striker target, it's clear that sort of budget was off the table.

However, considering Everton's well-known financial issues, would they have been tempted by a loan deal that included either an option or an obligation? We know United will be good for the money in the summer once INEOS are installed, and an obligation to buy would allow Everton to include the funds in this season's budgets. The sort of deal that might have worked for everyone.

Onana is a powerful defensive midfielder who thrives on physical battles, recovering the ball and bullying his way forwards with a surprising physical grace. That sort of profile is sorely needed at Old Trafford, where Scott McTominay is cosplaying as a striker and Casemiro is already searching for a house in Saudi Arabia.

Miguel Gutierrez

Luke Shaw's return from injury has been a major blessing to United, who terminated Sergio Reguilon's emergency loan deal and put their faith in both the Englishman and Tyrell Malacia over the remainder of the season.

With Malacia still out injured, however, it's a bold move for United, who could have sought an upgrade in the form of Girona's Miguel Gutierrez. The 22-year-old has been one of La Liga's top performers this season and would definitely offer a huge boost to any side who looked to lure him away from Girona.

Malacia could return this month but, having not played at all this season, the Dutchman is unlikely to be capable of a significant role between now and the end of the campaign. That's a whole lot of faith in Shaw, who has a history of injury issues and recently picked up an illness which left his side without a natural option in his position.

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