Manchester United 'planning to be active during January transfer window'

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has reportedly 'set his sights' on a number of potential transfer targets ahead of the winter window.

The Red Devils have made a disastrous start to the 2023-24 campaign, losing six of their 10 matches in all competitions, including four of their seven Premier League fixtures.

The 20-time English champions have been beaten in both of their Champions League group-stage fixtures, meanwhile, with zero points leaving them bottom of Group A.

Man United were active over the summer, bringing in Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Jonny Evans and Altay Bayindir, while Sofyan Amrabat and Sergio Reguilon joined on loan.

The club are believed to be planning to move for a new winger in January, with Jadon Sancho widely expected to depart following his high-profile falling-out with Ten Hag.

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According to Football Insider, there is currently a lot of work taking place behind the scenes, with the club planning to be active during the winter transfer window.

The report claims that Ten Hag is still being backed by senior figures at the club despite the team's disastrous form, which has seen them make their worst start to a league campaign for 34 years.

Deals for either Juventus' Federico Chiesa or Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry in January are seen as highly unlikely, but the club are also currently being linked with Brighton & Hove Albion's Karou Mitoma.

A mid-season exit for Sancho would open up space in the squad for another attacker to arrive, but it is unclear how much money could be made available for transfers at the start of 2024.

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The Glazers remain in charge of the Red Devils, almost a year on from revealing that they were open to entering into discussions over a sale of the club.

Despite the process stalling, it is understood that the two main bidders, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, remain determined to complete a takeover.

Large numbers of Man United fans have again been protesting against the Glazers early this season, but it appears almost certain that the Americans will still be in charge heading into 2024.

Sheikh Jassim's latest offer of £5bn is believed to still be on the table, but there have been claims that the Glazers want in excess of £6bn for a full sale.

Man United will be aiming to avoid a third successive defeat at home when they welcome Brentford to Old Trafford on Saturday in their last game before the October international break.