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Preparations are well under way as Manchester United prepare to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to add to his squad with a new attacking option, but rather than a striker it is a creative midfielder which should be higher on their radar.

Paul Pogba's long awaited return to first-team football is almost complete and regardless of whether or not he stays at the club beyond next summer fresh ideas are needed in the centre of the pitch.

Despite their inconsistent form United are still very much in contention to challenge for the top-four this season while a strong run of form in January could see them seal their place in a Wembley showpiece as the perfect springboard for a winnable European competition.

In order to ensure United take full advantage of the opportunities ahead of them reinforcement is needed next month, and Ajax midfielder Hakim Ziyech should be high on the agenda.

The 26-year-old was at his best again on Sunday afternoon as Ajax blitzed Den Haag in the Eredivisie fixture. A brilliant goal saw him open the scoring for Ajax as they thrashed their opponents to comfortably lead by four goals at the break.

Eight minutes later and the Moroccan international soon had an assist to his name as well, not only doubling his side's lead but helping him to set two records in the process.

The excellent opening goal means Ziyech now has the most Eredivisie goals from outside the box this decade with 31, while he also has the most Eredivisie assists this decade with 87.

United's reluctance to sign aging players means the midfielder fully fits in with the ethos which has been adopted by Solskjaer at Old Trafford, while his experience with Ajax in the Champions League would certainly strengthen the first-team squad.

The core of Ajax's excellent squad from last season was torn apart with the departures of Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt in the summer, but in their absence Ziyech has taken his game to another level while forming the catalyst of their continued dominance.

Eight goals and 21 assists in all competitions already this season proves how phenomenal his talents genuinely are and his added creativity simply has to be considered in the New Year.

James Maddison and Jack Grealish remain viable options for United next year, but Ziyech might not only prove to be a cheaper alternative, but one better suited to their squad.