Manchester United are reportedly weighing up moves for four players in the January transfer window, with Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall back on their radar just months after their interest was rebuffed and the England defender signed a new contract.
United have acknowledged that January signings may be essential and could also pursue Manchester City's Rayan Ait-Nouri, despite passing on him during the summer window. The club have endured a difficult start to the campaign, heaping pressure on Michael Carrick, with many pointing to a disappointing summer transfer window that failed to provide the squad with a solid foundation.
Poor start leaves United in 17th
Having finished third last season, United now find themselves in 17th place, with a failure to recruit a striker or left-back leaving the side short of options. Every penny of the budget was channelled into strengthening the midfield.
With the club's hierarchy now conceding that fresh faces will be vital if the side is to climb the table, a list of targets has been drawn up, with Hall and Ait-Nouri firmly among them.
Ait-Nouri and Hall as left-back options
Algerian star Ait-Nouri has fallen out of favour at the Etihad, with City even offering United the opportunity to acquire him a matter of months ago. It has been 15 years since a player crossed the Manchester divide, yet Ait-Nouri appears to be someone City would willingly allow to depart.
The Algerian would address United's vulnerability at left-back, where Luke Shaw currently operates without meaningful cover. The England international continues to be susceptible to injury, forcing Carrick to devise improvised solutions. During the summer, City sought a loan arrangement with an obligation to purchase from United, who had no appetite for a permanent transfer.
According to The Sun, despite Hall signing fresh terms with Newcastle in September, he is considered a realistic target for next summer.
Other targets considered
Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell is approaching the final six months of his contract at Selhurst Park. Cashing in would represent an astute move from the Eagles, though Mitchell falls outside United's preferred age range.
Should United seek to strengthen their attacking options, with Benjamin Sesko absent throughout the season, Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz presents himself as a short-term solution. He has only started in the Carabao Cup for the Cottagers this season and is familiar to Carrick, having worked with him during a loan spell at Middlesbrough.
United have previously struggled to attract quality signings in the January window and will be eager to avoid history repeating itself. Past loan acquisitions, including the likes of Wout Weghorst, have largely failed to make a meaningful impression. Their predicament is also widely known, which could prompt rival clubs to inflate their asking prices, knowing the Red Devils require reinforcements.
Director of football Jason Wilcox is responsible for recruitment, so any potential managerial shake-up would leave United's January transfer plans largely unchanged.
