Sancho, Pellistri, Van de Beek - Who Manchester United should keep and sell in January transfer window

There are a lot of crucial football matches to play yet but the January transfer window is looming ever closer.

Manchester United have actually had an upturn in results in recent weeks and the 3-0 victory over Everton on Sunday has seen them climb up to sixth in the table. Yet, Erik ten Hag's side are still far away from where the manager wants them to be after a dreadful start to the campaign.

An injury crisis of epic proportions has savaged United's squad and has played a significant role in the side's struggles. But it has also laid bare how much work still needs to be done on an imbalanced lacking in strength in depth.

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The opening of the transfer window in the new year offers United a chance to rectify that, or some of it at least. United could use reinforcements in practically every position but a versatile defender, right winger and striker need to be at the top of the list.

However, United made hard work of signing three quality players when they had the whole summer to do so. It's hard to be confident they will fair any better in the four weeks of January, a market that value for money is notoriously difficult to find in.

A difficult task is made even tougher by the fact that United currently have limited funds to work with. Due to overspending in recent summers, United are now restricted on what they can spend due to FFP. That's why Sofyan Amarabat's summer move was on an initial loan rather than a permanent switch.

So United may well have to shop in the bargain bucket for cheap deals, loans or free agents. That is unless they can raise funds through player sales.

Jadon