Manchester United seem to be in good fortune entering the Christmas period after the recent hire of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager.
The German has got United fans feeling confident again, saying all the right things while his players are performing better than expected.
With the January transfer window only weeks away, United fans will hope that Rangnick can bring some Christmas joy, with some positions needing bolstering if United want to compete for a place in the top four.
The signings United fans have been calling out for endlessly calling for are a defensive midfielder and right-back. Even though the emergence of Diogo Dalot has quieted talks regarding full-back, the Portuguese full-back still isn't up-to-par for a team with title aspirations.
Manchester United's senior right-backs are still developing, with Dalot, 22, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 24, but this could arguably be the right time to cash in and re-invest in the better potential for that position.
United have been touting out the services of Dalot for over two years with only loan offers to come into United to ultimately reject. While his stock is high, United should be looking to profit, and they could quickly get a better-made replacement by talking to a new hire of theirs.
New coach Chris Armas has been able to work with some good young talent in his managerial career throughout his time in the MLS. Tyler Adams has, of course, been rumoured and would make an excellent signing.
Armas could also look at his old national team, where he became a legend, to get some food for thought.
Barcelona and US men's national team right-back Sergiño Dest has reportedly been made available by Barcelona to try and profit off him. Journalist Gerard Romero reported that Dest, Frenkie de Jong, and Mar-Andre Ter Stegen were put on the transfer list recently.
Dest may not be a player who jumps off the paper as a name United should be urging to get, but he could be the perfect player that United need. Only recently turning 21, he has been an underrated player for a very dysfunctional Barcelona side.
Since joining from Ajax in the summer of 2020, Dest has scored three goals and created four assists. Numbers that don't scream world-class, but excellent numbers for someone so young in a team with zero direction.
Coming through the fabled Ajax academy, Dest has everything you expect from a graduate from the said academy.
His superb technical ability has improved along with his passing. According to fotmob, his 12 key passes this season rank sixth in La Liga for defenders, which is already only five behind his total of 20 for the 2020/21 season in 20 fewer games.
To go with his passing numbers, his assists numbers are also good when you put the league he's playing in into perspective. His tally of three assists is second in the league, only behind Jordi Alba, who has played more games than Dest this season.
To put the numbers above into perspective, his total of key passes is higher than both Wan-Bissaka's and Dalot's combined.
It is, of course, known for people who have watched Dest that his defensive numbers, such as blocks, tackles, and interceptions, are deficient. At the age of 21, he still has time to learn.
Not to mention that most full-backs in modern football have started to prioritise attacking, something Manchester United haven't shown in their recent transfers.
Sergiño Dest is a player who could be a perfect player for United on the cheap if the price is right. His youth and technical ability stand out easily. Ralf Rangnick asks his full-backs to add a lot of creativity going forward in his formation.
If Chris Armas can use his ties to the USA to bring in Dest, he could be doing United a massive favour in the long run.
Not to mention fans' favourite managerial successor, Erik Ten Hag, who may one day want to link up with his former Ajax pupil.
Do you think Manchester United should sign Sergiño Dest? Follow our United On My Mind editor Mike Parrott on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comment section below.
