Arguably Manchester United’s best signing during the summer was the acquisition of Daniel James from Championship club Swansea. The young Welshman has made an excellent start to his career at Old Trafford and it could encourage United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to look for more young talent in the Championship in January.
Here is a look at three young players United may wish to add from the second tier of English football when the transfer window re-opens…
Ollie Watkins (Brentford)
🏆 Ollie Watkins has been nominated for the @SkyBetChamp
August Player of the Month
Full story 👉 https://t.co/NfdtSpXUiT#BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/4yaTnS8Npm— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) September 12, 2019
Brentford forward Ollie Watkins has been a regular scorer in the Championship over the last three years. The 23-year-old can play as either a centre-forward, winger or an attacking midfielder. Crystal Palace were linked with Watkins last summer for a reported £11 million and there is likely to be more Premier League clubs interested in the player in the future. If United are keen on the Brentford man though, they are sure to be top of the list when it comes to which club Watkins will choose. Solskjaer could see the Englishman as a good addition to his squad given how versatile he is in the forward positions.
Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
One of the areas United are really lacking in at the moment is in defensive midfield. Nemanja Matic is starting to show is age so the Reds need a player in that position in order to get the best from the likes of Paul Pogba going forward. Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips continues to impress in the Championship and could be a smart signing. It would be quite a controversial move to try and pick up one of Leeds’ best players given the rivalry between the two clubs, however, Phillips has shown so much potential and is likely to get even better. United may have to make a move in January as Leeds are 4/11 in the Championship betting to get promoted this season so they may not wish to let go of their man next summer if they are in the top flight.
Eberechi Eze (QPR)
Nigerian wonderkid Eberechi Eze delivers masterclass as QPR down Luton https://t.co/wEwj9erQLL pic.twitter.com/vl8yQ7utyn
— Goal South Africa (@GoalcomSA) September 14, 2019
QPR’s Eberechi Eze’s reputation is increasing all the time following some impressive performances in the Championship this year. The attacking midfielder who is of Nigerian descent was recently called up to the England under-21 squad by manager Aidy Boothroyd and is tipped to be a star of the future in Gareth Southgate’s senior team. Like James, Eze is not short of pace and is able to beat players with ease. This season is the best start the youngster has made to a campaign and if he continues scoring at the rate he is going, there will be clubs queuing up for the player in January. Southampton expressed interest in QPR’s talented prospect last summer so it will only be a matter of time before he appears in the Premier League, quite possibly with Manchester United.
For now, Ole will be hoping to get the best out of the squad he already has as he looks to improve on the performances of the team in the early stages of the season.