Man Utd will search for a new type of ‘X factor' in the January transfer window

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Manchester United fans might need to get used to the idea of a different type of X-factor when it comes to the January transfer window.

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing for a club who privately accept their success rate in the market was allowed to dip below five out of 10 at periods during the six years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

The dream targets remain.

Jadon Sancho is the forward Ole Gunnar Solskjaer desperately covets to give his attack a new dimension – though convincing the Borussia Dortmund star to choose Old Trafford above his growing list of suitors across the continent remains a tough sell.

Photo: AFP via Getty Images
AFP via Getty Images

Sancho represents the type of marquee signing Woodward has been drawn to ever since taking control of Man Utd’s transfer strategy in 2013 – joining a list that includes Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel di Maria, Thomas Muller and many more.

But there is a growing realisation within the club that ‘X factor’ applies to more than just a superstar name, social media profile and sky-high price tag.

The focus has switched towards players with an attitude to recreate the type of winning mentality and dressing room resilience Ferguson’s squads were famed for.

Darren Fletcher is cited as an example.

Photo: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images
John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

A player whose X factor derived from his remarkable levels of consistency.

In that sense, it is easy to see why Scott McTominay has made such an impression on Solskjaer, with his earnest and gutsy performances in such a troubled season for United.

At the age of 22 he has already established himself as a leader in a squad desperately short of them.

Photo: AFP via Getty Images
AFP via Getty Images

His emergence has been one of the few positives to be taken from Solskjaer’s decision to leave himself so desperately thin on numbers in his first full season in charge. The shirt has never weighed heavily on the Scotland international's shoulders, unlike Alexis Sanchez, who figures inside the club question whether the move was too big for, despite having played for Barcelona and Arsenal.

That is seen as evidence enough that a high profile and even high quality does not necessarily make a Manchester United player.

Given the current plight of Solskjaer’s team – closer to the bottom three than the top four and with just three Premier League wins this term – many are questioning how many at the club are good enough to be considered ‘United players.’

In Pictures | Man Utd's summer transfer business

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But Solskjaer and United’s hierarchy remain convinced they are set on a recruitment strategy that will finally end years of failure in the transfer market.

Few teams in the top flight are looking to towards January as a source of salvation as much as United.

The failure to bring in a replacement for Romelu Lukaku or Sanchez has cast a shadow over the campaign to the point that even 16th-placed Aston Villa have scored more than them.

Photo: AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

Sources insist they will not be forced into panic buying – that Solskjaer is so determined to sign the right players that he would rather do without than sign a short-term fix.

That’s all good and well in theory, but events may well take over such laudable thinking.

Should United’s troubles in front of goal see them drop closer and closer to the relegation zone then a striker of any description may well be required to turn the season around.

Mario Mandzukic remains a consideration after United missed out on the veteran Juventus striker in the summer – but would hardly be considered one for the future. Nor does the 33-year-old fit the preferred age profile of 23, which United have determined as the optimum for new recruits.

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Richarlison is closer to what Solskjaer is looking to build his forward line around and the Everton striker is someone United are keeping tabs on as a proven Premier League performer.

The 22-year-old Brazil international has the versatility Solskjaer values and a return of 14 goals for Everton last season is seen as a promising strike-rate.

Photo: REUTERS
REUTERS

Elsewhere United are considering a move Emre Can at Juve to help bolster their midfield with another player who is accustomed to the rigours of English football after four years at Liverpool.

The German international’s association with United’s fiercest rivals makes him a bold choice, but still somewhat removed from the days when Woodward dreamed of assembling a squad of Galacticos to rival Real Madrid.

Photo: AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

Solskjaer is in the process of holding monthly meetings with recruitment heads to narrow down his targets for the summer, which will be determined in January.

It is the most streamlined United’s transfer strategy has been since Ferguson’s departure.

And Solskjaer has been promised the funds to sign those summer targets early if they become available at the turn of the year.

James Maddison is another player being monitored – but Leicester’s pursuit of Champions League football or even more means a January move would be all but impossible.

Photo: REUTERS
REUTERS

Solskjaer, meanwhile, has tasked scouts to watch Erling Haaland after the teenage striker’s outstanding form for RB Salzburg in the Champions League, while Moussa Dembele is a long-term target.

Photo: KRUGFOTO/AFP via Getty Images
KRUGFOTO/AFP via Getty Images

Midfield and attack remain the priority areas to strengthen. And while there is an acceptance it will be difficult to get their business done in the mid-season window, United’s campaign may well depend on just how many players they can get through the door in January.

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