Mesut Ozil to Man Utd: Five players who would solve Solskjaer’s creativity problem including Arsenal outcast
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes has pleaded with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to bring Arsenal outcast to Old Trafford in a shock move.
The former midfield maestro, 44, reckons he's just the man to solve the Red Devils' creative woes.
United have played 13 matches this season in all competitions - but have scored more than one goal in a single game just ONCE, on the opening day of the season.
Converting chances has proven tricky, but the problem is becoming more and more clear - Man Utd simply aren't creating enough clear-cut chances.
We take a look at five players who could be the perfect solution come January...
1. MESUT OZIL
WHEN Scholes talks, United tend to listen... after all, he won 11 Premier League titles, racking up 718 appearances for the club.
This week, Scholes revealed he believes Ozil is the right man for United, saying: "I can't understand it. I think he's a player who can link a team together.
"I think he's got great quality, he's shown that in his career. He could be an answer short term, I don't know.
"I think that would be up to him ultimately, if he wants to take a pay cut. I think he's the type of player, short term, that Man Utd could do with."
Ozil, 31, has barely played for Arsenal this season - just twice, in fact - with Unai Emery seeming to be making an example of the German.
With the Gunners itching to offload his staggering £350,000-a-week wages, United could be priming themselves to make a move.
While Ozil is the sort of player who can drift in an out of matches, his ability to carve open defences and make something out of nothing is certainly something United need.
After all, the former Real Madrid playmaker didn't earn his "Assist King" nickname for nothing...
2. RYAN FRASER
ON the radar of Arsenal all summer, the Scottish star ultimately stayed at Bournemouth.
But that won't stop clubs taking a look at the flying winger who was in sensational form last season.
Fraser scored seven times, while adding 14 assists - adding two more goal involvements already this season.
With Daniel James manning one wing and Fraser the other, Man Utd certainly wouldn't be lacking creativity on the wing.
United aren't blessed with their old superpower of being able to attract any player in the world.
After all, they're 14th in the Premier League, not competing in the Champions League and in the midst of a horrific six-year run since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
The likes of Fraser are more likely targets for United, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe absolute pipe-dreams in 2019.
3. HAKIM ZIYECH
MAN UTD have registered their interest in the Ajax star on and off in 2019.
The Moroccan winger, 26, has been sensational in the past 18 months in Amsterdam - and could be the next star to move on to pastures new.
Ajax have already lost Frenkie De Jong and Matthijs De Ligt, amongst others, but were grateful to be able to cling on to Ziyech.
But it's just a matter of time, you feel - and Ziyech's creative spark providing goals and assists in bunches.
The forward provided an assist for Quincy Promes against Chelsea in the Champions League this week - only for the goal to be controversially ruled out by VAR.
On top of that, Ziyech was one of the key man as Ajax stunned the whole of Europe - including Real Madrid - to reach the Champions League semi-finals last season.
4. GARETH BALE
JUST go and get him.
After years and years and years of "chasing" the former Tottenham man, can United just put everyone out of their misery now?
Bale is unloved at Real Madrid after a turbulent year under Zinedine Zidane - with the Los Blancos boss even called a "disgrace" by the Welshman's agent, Jonathan Barnett.
There is absolutely no doubting Bale's class - he is still comfortably one of the best forwards in world football.
He's willing to take on his man, he scores goals with regularity - in big games, particularly - and is more than happy to set up easy chances for his team-mates.
5. CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN
ANOTHER long-running transfer saga trundling on and on and on...
United want Eriksen. Eriksen wants a new challenge.
The Tottenham man has not been at his best in North London this season with questions popping up over his desire and commitment to the club.
With one eye on the future, it would be better for Spurs to cash-in this January, rather than lose him on an inevitable free next summer.
Real Madrid are thought to be willing to bid £30million - an absolute steal for a player of Eriksen's quality.
If United match it, the Dane might just opt to stay in England and move to Manchester.
With 50 goals and 61 assists from just 214 Premier League games - he must be the No1 pick for the Man Utd No10 spot.