Man United's January shortlist as 'Man City star and former Middlesbrough striker targeted'

United target left-back Ait-Nouri from City and striker Muniz from Fulham as they seek January reinforcements after a disastrous campaign.

Manchester United's season has collapsed from third place to 17th, exposing flaws in their summer transfer strategy that left them short at striker and left-back. Manager Michael Carrick is now tasked with hauling the club up the table with a dangerously thin squad.

The club has identified several targets for January. Rayan Ait-Nouri, an Algerian left-back at Manchester City, is reportedly available after dropping down the pecking order at the Etihad. City had approached United about a potential deal months ago, and Ait-Nouri would address United's critical shortage at left-back, where Luke Shaw remains their only recognised option and continues to be plagued by injuries. Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell is an alternative, though he falls outside United's preferred age profile.

For attacking reinforcements, Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz is being considered as a short-term solution. The striker, who has barely featured for the Cottagers this season, is familiar to Carrick after a loan spell at Middlesbrough in 2022-23. United have a poor track record in January recruitment and face the added challenge of rivals inflating asking prices, knowing the club's desperation.