Following the news that Liverpool has secured a transfer deal that will bring Takumi Minamino to the Premier League, it was revealed that Manchester United had wanted to bring the Salzburg attacker to Old Trafford. Missing out on the Japanese forward, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said it would be a busy January for the Red Devils.
The move on Minamino only cost Liverpool £7.25 million, further fueling talks that United missed a good hire big time. However, Solskjaer does not intend to dwell on the episode. The team manager is already focusing on the transfer window next month.
"We are looking to strengthen in many positions ... We are getting there but we still need two or three players to have enough numbers," the Norwegian boss said, according to Mirror.
His words are in tune with earlier statements that United is looking for creativity in targeted recruits to create goal-scoring opportunities better. Solskjaer has constantly indicated that United lacks prolific scorers to fill the void created by the summer departure of Romelu Lukaku.
Specifically, he now feels the need to add to the roster at least a striker and possibly two midfielders.
In recent days, news broke out that United will actively recruit the following names: James Maddison, Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho, and Saul Niguez. It is understood the undertaking will not be easy and cheap.
First, Metro said that "the Red Devils might find it difficult to convince their top targets to switch clubs mid-way through a campaign." And the price to pay will be sky-high. Reports said for Niguez and Haaland to get to Old Trafford, it could cost the club north of £150 million.
Nonetheless, the same report said United is ready to provide for Solskjaer's hiring mission and more so if the right players will come along.
There were suggestions too that Solskjaer's stock with the United hierarchy has risen in light of the recent wins scored against Tottenham and Manchester City. The club owners have reportedly expressed full support for the planned rebuilding, which for now has hosed down the rumors of the manager's imminent sacking.
For now, United seemed in a near-optimal form with youngsters like Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood rising to the occasion. Rashford has been so impressive that he's attracted comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo, which Solskjaer said is well-deserved.
Greenwood, on the other hand, has been deemed to have the makings of a United legend, and if pundits are to be believed, he just might be the next Wayne Rooney.
