Manchester United are in desperate need of strengthening an underperforming squad which currently sits 14th in the Premier League table.

Money is set to be tight in the January transfer window with United, like all Premier League clubs needing to be wary of the league's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Therefore, big-money signings are unlikely to take place at Old Trafford until next summer at the earliest.

But one option which would see United avoid paying a transfer fee is by looking at players whose contracts will expire at the end of the season. Those with six months or less left on their current deals will be available to sign a pre-contract for another team in Janaury, although they won't be able to officially join until their contract expires with their current club.

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When it comes to signing free agent players from another English team, however, talks can only take place after the player enters the final month of their previous contract. Below is a look at five possible options from across Europe who United could look to sign in January...

Alphonso Davies

Wing-back is a going to be a key area for United and their rebuild under Ruben Amorim. The current options are simply not good enough, particularly on the left-hand side.

Alphonso Davies would be a good option. The Canadian has the speed and technical ability to fit into Amorim's system and, at 24, also has the perfect age profile.

Jonathan David

Goals have been a major issue at United, arguably, since Cristiano Ronaldo left Old Trafford in 2022. The strikers at the disposal of every United manager since Ronaldo's departure have been average at best.

A lot of talk has been around Viktor Gyokeres, but a cheaper option could come in the form of Lille's Jonathan David. With 17 goals to his name already this season, the forward may be an excellent alternative.

Alex Meret

Andre Onana's early season form was good, but the former Ajax goalkeeper looks to have regressed back to the levels seen for much of last season. Onana will always have a mistake in him and won't ever be good enough to help the Reds compete for Premier League titles.

But a new shot-stopper will not be high on the list of priorities next summer; therefore, signing Napoli's Alex Meret on a free could be a sensible option. The 27-year-old has been one of the top goalkeepers in Serie A for several years and may be worth looking at as either a replacement for Onana or to provide strong competition for the number-one position.

Jonathan Tah

United already have several centre-backs at their disposal, but both Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire face uncertain futures at Old Trafford with their contracts expiring next summer.

Jonathan Tah was instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen's dominant campaign last term and continues to impress the Bundesliga club this season as well. Signing Tah on a free could be an excellent deal.