Who could Manchester United target in the transfer window?

Will Louis van Gaal get the time and funds to strengthen in January?

Who could struggling Manchester United turn to in January in order to reignite their season?

Louis van Gaal is under pressure to turn things around with the club on an eight-game winless streak - their worst in 25 years.

United have spent big in recent seasons but could be forced into the transfer market once more if they want to secure Champions League football next season.

Thierry Henry feels that there are encouraging signs for Manchester United Thierry Henry feels that there are encouraging signs for Manchester United

With Van Gaal's future and the club's campaign in the balance, we look at where they might strengthen…

DEFENCE

The United boss kicked off the transfer speculation back in September when, following Luke Shaw's leg break in Eindhoven, he said: "Maybe we have to buy a left-back in January."

Bruno Martins Indi could help cover the left-back slot for Van Gaal

The following month there were reports in Portuguese newspaper O Jogo that Van Gaal had identified Porto defender Bruno Martins Indi as a possible replacement.

However, the emergence of Cameron Borthwick-Jackson coupled with Matteo Darmian's ability to switch flanks could have persuaded the Dutchman to stick with the current squad.

Athletic Bilbao centre back Aymeric Laporte boasts a growing reputation

In the centre of defence, Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte would represent a considerably larger investment. According to the Daily Express, there's a £35m price-tag on the Frenchman.

MIDFIELD

United are still searching for the right balance in the wide positions with Memphis Depay struggling to make an impact in his debut season and Jesse Lingard only a qualified success.

Riyad Mahrez has been attracting attention after starring for Leicester

As a result, it's little surprise to see that the Daily Express are claiming that Leicester's Riyad Mahrez is a £29m target after his heroics for the Foxes so far this season.

Meanwhile, Italian newspaper La Repubblica are reporting that Lazio's Felipe Anderson is also on United's radar. The 22-year-old Brazilian has also been in fine form in Serie A.

Brazilian midfielder Felipe Anderson is in good form for Lazio this season

ATTACK

Goals have been a major issue at Old Trafford this season with the club having scored only 10 goals in their nine home fixtures thus far.

Benfica's Goncalo Guedes has been linked with a move to Old Trafford

Robert Lewandowski would surely address that problem but, according to The Sun, the Bayern Munich forward would only consider a switch to Real Madrid.

Neymar would appear similarly unlikely despite the same newspaper suggesting that Ed Woodward is anxious to do a deal.

Could Yoshinori Muto be a solution to United's goalscoring problems?

A more plausible January transfer could be Benfica forward Goncalo Guedes, as reported by the Daily Mirror, while the Daily Star suggests United are interested in Mainz forward Yoshinori Muto.

SUMMARY

The showpiece signings might have to wait until the summer but with United's slump endangering their European ambitions for next season as well as this, time is of the essence.

The good news for Van Gaal and United supporters is that the scope for improvement is vast and so it's not difficult to imagine an in-form striker or talented wide-man improving their attacking options.