What United need to do in January - and what they can actually do...

Our United writers take a look at options ahead of transfer window

Meek defeats to Bournemouth in the Premier League and Bayern Munich in the Champions League over the past seven days means Erik ten Hag and his side are under pressure to perform with Liverpool on the horizon this weekend. The Reds are out of Europe and surrendered their Carabao Cup defence last month.

The FA Cup has yet to begin while despite their indifferent form they remain in contention for a top four (or five) place to secure Champions League football next term.

The January transfer window could offer an opportunity but United are not in a strong position, on or off the pitch. We asked our United writers for their views on what might happen next month...

■TYRONE MARSHALL

What United need to do and what United can do are two very different subjects for January. This squad clearly needs more quality but it just isn't going to happen next month. Quality players rarely move in Januand and United can't afford quality players.

Their European exit has further damaged their compliance with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules and sales now have to be the priority, especially as there are only two competitions left for Erik ten Hag's squad this season.

Donny van de Beek and Jadon Sancho are quite obvious departures and both should be sold rather than loaned out, if possible, in January. More could follow though.

Raphael Varane returned to the team on Tuesday but his status remains a little unclear and interest from Saudi Arabia is likely. The same is true of Casemiro and given his sizeable salary and the fact he has three and a half years remaining on his contract, it might be time for United to cut their losses.

Offers for Anthony Martial are unlikely, however. He will be available for free in the summer and doesn't have the recent form that would convince a club to pay for him six months earlier.

His exit will surely come on a free transfer.