3 players who could leave Manchester United in January

The January transfer market is not very far away, and Manchester United are a team who are always in the news during the transfer season.

Usually, clubs refrain from making any substantial changes to the squad in January because that could sometimes disrupt the balance of the team. Even for a new player coming in, it often gets difficult to fit into the new philosophy right away.

Previously, Manchester United have described the January transfer market as a seller's market. Like most other teams, they tend to offload a few players in January who are either struggling to perform or don't fit into the manager's plans.

Jose Mourinho is obviously not amused with how the summer transfer market went for Manchester United. He reportedly wanted a central defender, but his wish was declined under the pretext that the Portuguese has already spent a fortune to buy new players who have not done enough to improve the quality of the squad.

The recent performances of the team have justified the manager's wish to buy a defender though. And if the board decides to back him in January, then he might have to part ways with some of his current players to fund a new player.

Here are the three potential players how could leave the Red Devils in January.

#3 Matteo Darmian

Darmian has struggled to adjust to Premier League football

Matteo Darmian is an Italian International who joined Manchester United in 2015 at a reported transfer fee of £15 million.

Before joining the Red Devils, Darmian played for the likes of Palermo and Torino in Serie A. He made his Premier League debut against Tottenham and became an instant hit among the fans.

However, as time elapsed, the physicality and the pace of the Premier League caught up with him, and he struggled to get a first-team place. After Louis Van Gaal left United, his successor Jose Mourinho made it clear that Damian didn't fit into his plans, with the likes of Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia well ahead in the pecking order for the right-back position.

Last season Darmian made only eight Premier League appearances, and he has made one in the current campaign. He wanted to leave before the current season began but Mourinho refused to let him go because of injuries to many players in the squad.

The Italian international is at the best age of his career, and he would not want to waste those years sitting on the bench. Hence, to get more game time, Darmian could leave United in January.

#2 Marcos Rojo

Marcos Rojo has been struggling with injuries.

Marcos Rojo is one of those players who play with intense love and passion for the club.

Even before coming to United, he expressed his dream to play for the Red Devils. He moved to Manchester from Sporting CP at a deal reportedly worth €20 million, which also saw Nani move to Sporting on a season-long loan.

The Argentine international started as a left back for United but soon moved to the center-back position which looked more suited for him. He formed a formidable defensive partnership with Phil Jones in Jose Mourinho's first season and played a crucial role in United maintaining a stellar defensive record throughout the season.

However, injuries affected Rojo's time at Old Trafford and he never really stayed fit for an entire season. He got injured during the World Cup which has kept him sidelined since then, and he is yet to make an appearance this season.

With Smalling and Lindelof settling in as the first choice center-backs and Jones as a backup for either of them, Rojo might find it hard to get back into the squad any time soon and could be sold in January to make way for a new defender.

#1 Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez could leave United within a year of signing for them.

Alexis Sanchez was Arsenal's best player for long but last season he expressed a desire to leave the Emirates in search of trophies.

It was a straight tussle between the two Manchester clubs to get the services of the Chilean. Sanchez's previous stint with Barcelona made Pep Guardiola and Manchester City the favorites to sign him.

However, Arsene Wenger wanted a player of similar profile in exchange of Sanchez, and with United agreeing to sell Henrikh Mkhitaryan, it became a straight swap between the two clubs in January 2018.

Since Sanchez has moved to Old Trafford, his situation has been frustrating. The former Arsenal man has tried everything so far at United, but nothing seems to click for him.

Sanchez has looked a mere shadow of the player he was at Arsenal. He is reportedly finding it hard to get going with the Red Devils and could move somewhere else in January to get his form back.