Manchester United transfer targets: Gareth Bale, Thomas Muller and Riyad Mahrez all linked, could Wayne Rooney and Victor Valdes exit?

Louis van Gaal's squad must be strengthened in key areas

Bayern Munich forwards Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller

Manchester United have flattered to deceive all season, putting in one dreary performance after another, with sections of the club's loyal support openly turning on manager Louis van Gaal.

Take a look at the league table, however, and there they sit in 4th place, ahead of Mauricio Pochettino's much-vaunted Tottenham Hotspur and only a point behind free-scoring Leicester City.

Van Gaal is picking up results even though performance leave a lot to be desired. That has bought him time but supporters' patience will surely run out if the club fails to address some of the squad's deficiencies in January.

A centre-back is needed desperately and many fans will be concerned that the club has not been heavily linked with a recgonised defender since the close of the last window in August.

The team also needs pace up front, something evident from their struggles to break weaker teams down and score with regularity.

Here are the players with whom United have been most consistently linked since the end of August. Some are realisitic targets, some aren't, but all would improve a side that is in need of some spark and invention.

Who would you like to see join Manchester United? Let us know in the comments below...