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Five mad dogs Manchester United should look to sign in January

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Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group H - Manchester United v BSC Young Boys - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - November 27, 2018 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho reacts as he celebrates Manchester United's first goal Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine — Jose Mourinho wants to see more aggression from his Manchester United side (Picture: Getty)

It doesnt matter about the system. It has to do with the characteristics of the players and we dont have many, with all the respect, mad dogs – the ones who bite the ball all the time and press all the time. We dont have many with that spirit.

Ladies and gentlemen, Jose Mourinho is at it again. In the aftermath of Uniteds chaotic 2-2 draw against Southampton – a scoreline that has subsequently resulted in Mark Hughes sacking – Mourinho came out with a classic Mourinho-ism digging out his players by saying they werent sufficiently pooch-like. Or something.

It was, in essence, a 21st century version of they didnt want it enough the assertion being that too many of his players didnt put in the requisite effort to hound Southampton when they had the ball, lacking the intensity and tenacity that Mourinho desires of his players.

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Marcus Rashford was exempt from the criticism, though, with Mourinho saying of the 21-year-old: I would say Marcus Rashford was a mad dog, until he was – lets say – very, very tired and with [a few] little problems.

Clearly Mourinho has issues with certain members of his squad and youd think that considering how this season has gone for United thus far, hed be in the market for one or two players to spark a surge up the table from January onwards.

Here are five mad dogs who could add the bite he is looking for…

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace)

Luke Shaws unexpected resurgence at left-back has been one of the few positives of Uniteds season but issues remain on the opposite flank where two thirty-something, converted wingers Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young are competing for a place.

United did sign Portuguese teenager Diogo Dalot in the summer but greater strength in depth is required. Enter Crystal Palaces Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The 21-year-old has been a revelation this season, delivering a series of impressive performances, not to mention a plethora of Fantasy Football points.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been a revelation for Crystal Palace (Getty Images)

Wan-Bissaka has been a defensive demon in the Premier League, winning 50 out of 55 attempted tackles as well as 35 interceptions – a total that ranks fourth in Europes top five leagues.

Allan (Napoli)

Mourinho took the unprecedented step of naming five (yes, five) central midfielders in his starting line-up against Southampton on Saturday; Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic all started and rather comically, Fred still didnt get a look-in.

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For whatever reason that deal hasnt worked out and Mourinho may be tempted to dive headfirst into the transfer market for another Brazilian midfielder when the window re-opens. Napoli midfielder Allan has actually directly benefited from Freds miserable spell in Manchester to earn his first cap for Selecao this season.

Only three players in Europes top five leagues have won more tackles this season than Allan (52) which highlights his defensive appetite. Not only is he adept at winning the ball back, Allan also acts as Napolis engine, driving the team forward with lung-busting runs from midfield.

Why not swap one Brazilian midfielder who sounds like an electrician from Salford for another?

Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan)

A select few players in the history of the game have produced a piece of skill so unique that their name is forever associated it. Theres the Cruyff turn named after the legendary Johan Cruyff. The Fifa generation will know Aiden McGeady as much for the McGeady spin as anything hes actually achieved in his career.

And from this year onwards, perhaps there will be the Brozovic. In October, Marcelo Brozovic, a World Cup finalist with Croatia this summer, blocked a Luis Suarez free-kick by lying down behind Inter Milans goal, deflecting the cheeky low effort wide of the post.

Brozovic just did this against Barcelona. He literally saved a goal, this is pure genius from him. Amazing defending. pic.twitter.com/uCKssd9EOZ

— World Cup (@FlFAWC2018) October 24, 2018

It was a piece of play that has begun to be mimicked across Europe. A true trailblazer, is Marcelo. Aside from his ingenious ways of stopping free-kicks, Brozovic is an accomplished midfielder, winning 39 tackles in Serie A this season as well as chipping in with a couple of goals.

A work-horse who adds attacking and defensive qualities, Brozovic would be a good addition to Uniteds pedestrian midfield.

Kalidou Koulibaly (Lazio)

During the final stages of the August transfer window, United were being linked with virtually every central defender under the sun. Harry Maguire, Toby Alderweireld and Diego Godin were among those rumoured to be heading to Old Trafford at one stage or another, yet now another name is being bandied about.

Another Napoli player, this time Kalidou Koulibaly is reportedly the subject of a mammoth bid from Ed Woodward. Considering McTominay and Matic played as makeshift central defenders with the ever-reliable Phil Jones sandwiched between them, you can see why Mourinho fancies a bit of Koulibaly.

Kalidou Koulibaly has been regularly tipped with a move to the Premier League (Getty Images)

The Malian international has emerged as one of the finest distributors of the ball from the back over the last couple of seasons, averaging over 90% pass accuracy rates in Serie A. Hes also a huge presence in the air, as shown by his 60 aerial duels won this season.

United need a bit of composure in their backline as well as someone who could most probably run through a brick wall if you asked him to. Get you a defender who does both, Jose.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio)

At one point in the summer it looked a certainty that United would clinch the signature of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, yet Lazio dug their heels in and kept hold of their prized asset after whacking a whopping £90m price tag on the gigantic Serbian midfielders neatly coiffured head.

Mourinho likes his midfielders big and given Milinkovic-Savic is a towering 64 powerhouse of a player, you can see the attraction. Unusually, for a player of his size, Milinkovic-Savic is an extremely silky playmaker, as he demonstrated during the World Cup. Hes essentially a better Marouane Fellaini.

Last season, he managed 12 goals and three assists in Serie A but his attacking output has dwindled this term with just a solitary goal and assist to show from his 13 games. Perhaps all that speculation in the summer has unduly affected him.

If that is the case, Lazio could be more open to a deal when the window re-opens…