Who Manchester United need to buy and sell in the January transfer window

The days when Manchester United looked upon the winter transfer window so dismissively it was an afterthought are more distant than their last title.

Three of the most consequential United transfers in the past decade - Juan Mata, Alexis Sanchez and Bruno Fernandes - were all executed in January.

Ed Woodward once described the mid-season window as driven by the desperation of the seller, rather than the buyer. Woodward also dubbed the January market "fool's gold". The Sanchez deal was certainly foolish but Fernandes has been United's finest signing since Robin van Persie in 2012.

READ MORE: United need a winger like Antonio Valencia and there is an obvious target

READ MORE: United eyeing another squad clearout to break double figures

That the best and worst United signings of the post-Ferguson era have come in January typifies the club's slapdash strategy. United eschewed a move for Fernandes months before he was driven into Carrington and the speculation in Portugal palpably irritated the communications department.

Last season, United made three loan signings and all were enforced. Newcastle recalled the haphazard Martin Dubravka, so United brought in Jack Butland, Cristiano Ronaldo's exit interview with Piers Morgan prompted a move for Wout Weghorst and injury to Christian Eriksen sparked an 11th-hour approach for Marcel Sabitzer.

Sabitzer was a worthy arrival. Weghorst was not. Overexposed due to the brittleness of Anthony Martial, Weghorst's two goals in 31 games were tap-ins and he failed to get off the mark in 18 Premier League appearances.

United need another goalscorer in January. They have mustered 25 goals in 18 games, only two shy of the 27 they tallied after the same number of matches last term when goals