The biggest complaint against the under-fire Louis van Gaal has been his ‘boring’ brand of football.

Manchester United fans and ex-players alike have been unimpressed by their side’s pedestrian style and the lack of verve and movement in their forward line.

Pressure has been heaped upon strikers Anthony Martial, the shock signing of the last window, and club captain Wayne Rooney, who has struggled for form all season. The whole team is struggling as a result.

With left-back Luke Shaw a long-term absentee through injury, there is also a need to strengthen in defence.

However, a lot may depend on whether Van Gaal can stay in the Old Trafford dugout for the rest of next month, as the spectre of Jose Mourinho looms over him.

Who does The Independent’s chief football correspondent Mark Ogden think that Manchester United should target in the upcoming January transfer window?