Can United afford not to buy in this transfer window?

It’s nearly that time of the season again. Transfer Deadline Day. A chance for want away players to engineer moves to rival clubs for a ridiculous fee. A chance for clubs to offload a ‘talent’ that hasn’t cut the mustard in their squad. A chance for Jim White, of Sky Sports News fame, to dust off that awful yellow tie and over-hype the significance of every single transfer. The sooner it is over the better.

Well, at least that’s what I usually say. This year however I can’t help feeling as a United fan, that we will need to add to the squad before the clock strikes 2300 hours on the first of February. There have been no singings so far but United have welcomed back Adnan Januzaj from his loan-spell at Borussia Dortmund, where he did not get anywhere near the game time United thought he would.

Poor results and lacklustre defensive performances so far this season would certainly suggest that they need to change their style of play and or bring in a fresh face or two. They stand five points off fourth-placed Tottenham and no action in the transfer window could hamper their Champions League hopes for next season. But where exactly do United need to strengthen?

You could make the argument that they need to strengthen everywhere apart from the goalkeeper position. United have had significant injuries in the full-back positions but does that warrant a £20m raid for a player like Ryan Bertrand or Seamus Coleman? I don’t think so. One of the few highlights this season has been the emergence of talents such as Varela and Borthwick-Jackson, who have done reasonably well considering their age and the difficult circumstances they have been thrust into.

Central defence continues to be an issue, despite Chris Smalling emerging as a reliable figure in the position. If United are to be successful over the next few seasons, a lot will depend on him being paired with a centre-back who is equally adept. Unfortunately Phil Jones has yet to develop into this role I feel and thought Daley Blind has not done too much wrong in the role this season, he looks far better in that holding midfield role.

However United’s biggest problems remain in attack. In their last eleven home games they have failed to score before the half-time whistle. It seemed that the arrival of Anthony Martial would improve United’s attacking options, and his first few appearances in the number nine position gave United pace and a genuine threat in behind. Unfortunately in recent months he has been deployed on the left hand side, filling the vacant position after inconsistent performances from Memphis Depay.

I feel if United are to mount a serious challenge for the top four, then they are going have to address their lack of goals. Playing Martial back in that central role, with the support of Rooney behind could be one option. Another option will be to dip into the transfer market and bring in a proven striker.

The difficulty is, what strikers are out there that are readily available and will the United board really trust Van Gaal with another transfer kitty after spending in excess of £250m in the summer?

Photo Credit: Paul Dawson (Flickr)