A new striker and a squad overhaul - Manchester United's perfect January transfer window

With 14 defeats from their opening 28 matches in all competitions this season, Manchester United's supporters would be forgiven for demanding new signings by the lorry load in this month's transfer window.

Just 122 days since the summer window shut, the January one is now officially open for business, allowing clubs across Europe a month to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season. January is a notoriously difficult month to navigate and prices of players are often inflated.

United, who brought 2023 to a close with a 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, are not renowned for splashing the cash in January, choosing to loosen the purse strings during the summer window instead. They drafted in three new additions in last season's winter window, all of whom arrived on loan.

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Though there is no denying that United need fresh blood, it would be unrealistic to expect a window littered with new signings at Old Trafford. Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment is yet to be ratified and United's recruitment policy is in desperate need of restructuring, meaning major signings will not be made until the summer.

That is not to say United will not bring at least one or two new faces through the door. Situations can change quickly in the winter window, as was proven when the Reds swooped for Marcel Sabitzer at the eleventh hour almost 12 months ago.

Looking at the current landscape of United's squad, various positions need either upgrading or strengthening. They need a long-term answer at right-back, a first-choice centre-back partner for Lisandro Martinez, a