Man Utd Transfers: 10 Players Van Gaal Must Target In January

8. Ron Vlaar

We rarely see "marquee" signings in the January transfer window, which is why we are looking at short-term/low-key options so far on this list. With that in mind, another central-defensive option for Manchester United in January is Ron Vlaar. United were actually linked with Vlaar throughout the summer but the centre-back stayed at Aston Villa. Vlaar impressed under Louis van Gaal while playing for the Netherlands at this summer's World Cup, which is what prompted the speculation linking the Dutchman with a move to Old Trafford in the first place. United were linked with quite a few Dutch players due to the van Gaal connection, though Vlaar would actually be a decent signing. The defender only has a year left on his contract meaning he will come cheap in January, at which point there will be just over six months of it left to run. That makes him a very credible option this winter. Known affectionately as "concrete", Vlaar knows van Gaal's formations and tactics and would slot in seamlessly at United - and goodness knows they need some concrete in their defence.