Manchester United's four-man winter wishlist revealed, with Erik ten Hag making big statement signings: report

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag arrives ahead of the Premier League match between Everton FC and Manchester United at Goodison Park on November 26, 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
(Image credit: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Manchester United want four new players as Erik ten Hag looks to shoot up the Premier League table in the second half of the season.

The Red Devils have had a tough campaign so far, with high-profile injuries and absences leaving Ten Hag's squad down to the bare bones. Takeover talk has loomed, while big defeats have left Manchester United way off the level required to compete in the title race at times. 

Despite this, United are just four points off Arsenal in first, following the weekend's win against Everton – and could go on a spending spree in the coming months.

Alejandro Garnacho reacts after scoring an overhead kick for Manchester United against Everton at Goodison Park in November 2023.

Manchester United aren't far off the pace in the Premier League, despite a poor campaign thus far (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Guardian are reporting that Ten Hag wants to bring in four new players: a defensive midfielder, a No.8, a striker and a right-sided centre-back. 

United have been without Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez for swathes of the season, having to rely on Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans for the most part – so a centre-back is no surprise. A striker is also high up on the agenda, given that Rasmus Hojlund is still young and has had injury struggles.

A new midfielder is a surprise, however, given that Mason Mount signed in the summer and Kobbie Mainoo has emerged as a serious option at No.8. Scott McTominay has also chipped in with goals but almost left over the summer.

Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United in action during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais at BT Murrayfield Stadium on July 19, 2023 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Kobbie Mainoo has emerged in recent weeks (Image credit: Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

A new defensive midfielder would be due to the indifferent start of Sofyan Amrabat. The Moroccan is on loan from Fiorentina but has failed to impress thus far, making any chance of United triggering his buyout somewhat unlikely at this stage. 

Transfermarkt values Amrabat at €30 million.

More Manchester United stories

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid and France star Antoine Griezmann. Meanwhile, a former Barcelona defender could potentially be on his way to Old Trafford.

Almost half a year after leaving Manchester United as a free agent, David de Gea could be close to sealing a move to a new club. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag has defended his training methods as the injuries pile up – with Mason Mount the latest player set for a spell on the sidelines.

Is Raphael Varane poised to leave Old Trafford? The defender's relationship with Ten Hag appears to have become strained. And a bargain deal for a Serie A striker might also be in the offing.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.