Who will Manchester United sign in January? Latest news and rumours as winter window remains open till January 31
Defensive cover a must as Jose Mourinho sets about stamping his identity on club and cementing Champions League place
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MANCHESTER UNITED are expected to plunge into the transfer market in the January window to keep their hopes of Champions League football on track.
Jose Mourinho has had six months getting to know his players at Old Trafford and the United boss is now likely to make changes to strengthen his hand.
Several big name stars have been linked with a January move to United while the new year could also herald an exit for the likes of Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Chris Smalling.
Who are Manchester United's rumoured transfer targets?
Expect Mourinho to make signing a central defender a priority and the Old Trafford giants are reportedly closing in on 22-year-old Benfica centre-half Victor Lindelof after his impressive displays in Portugal and for Sweden.
Should the bid for the Swede fail, Mourinho has also reportedly placed a bid for Roma's £32.5million defender Kostas Manolas.
SunSport also revealed United have opened talks in an ambitious move for Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann.
It is understood United have asked a leading agent to agree a deal for the France striker, 25, expected to cost in excess of £60million.
He is likely to stay in Spain this season with the move scheduled for the summer.
Mourinho has also been eyeing up Bayern Munich left-back David Alaba. The Special One had his scouts watch Alaba in action recently for Austria against the Republic of Ireland and Slovakia.
Chelsea outcast Jon Obi Mikel has been linked with a January move, and United have been linked with West Ham playmaker Dimitri Payet in a deal that would cost £35m.
Real Madrid's James Rodriguez is another Mourinho is touted as being interested in.
Winger Leon Bailey will only join the Old Trafford club if they can guarantee him game time.
The 19-year-old Genk star is currently being monitored by United, with Mourinho also sending scouts to track his progress this season.
Franck Kessie has also been looked at by Jose Mourinho - with Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal all reportedly interested in the Atalanta starlet, 20, whose sale fee could reach as high as £30m.
Who could leave Manchester United in the transfer window?
Mourinho looks to have made up his mind about a number of players he inherited from the remnants of Sir Alex Ferguson's title winning team, the wreck that belonged to David Moyes and numerous signings made by Louis van Gaal.
Morgan Schneiderlin has already left for Everton - with United managing to negotiate a fee rising to £24m.
Italian full-back Matteo Darmian seemed destined to leave when the window opened up, with a host of Serie A clubs interested in taking him home - but he has been part of Mourinho's first-team.
French winger Anthony Martial has been linked with a shock loan move to Sevilla after struggling for games this season, while Marcus Rashford has also been linked with a move to the same La Liga club.
Though Bastian Schweinsteiger was a surprise substitute against West Ham, Mourinho has made it clear he doesn't see him as a major part of his long-term plans.
England defender Chris Smalling has fallen foul of his manager, and there would be no shortage of clubs in the Premier League keen to sign him.
Then there is Memphis Depay who is wanted by Everton and Roma and Mourinho has decided he is surplus to requirements.
Who did Manchester United buy and sell in the last January transfer window?
It was all quiet at Old Trafford during the last January window, with no players signed.
Several young players were loaned out to Football League clubs, including Ashley Fletcher to Barnsley and Nick Powell to Hull City.
Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdes was another who left, this time on loan to Standard Liege.
