This archive report was first published on 8 January 2020.
Manchester United's League Cup semi-final defeat against Manchester City has exposed the club's desperate need for reinforcements to salvage their stuttering season.
On January 7, United conceded three first-half goals at Old Trafford for the first time since May 1997, losing 3-1 in the first-leg match against Pep Guardiola's men.
Bernardo Silva's wonder strike, Riyad Mahrez's cool finish, and an own goal from Andreas Pereira put City on course for a third straight final before Marcus Rashford gave the hosts faint hope for the second leg on January 29.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, "I've said before it is not going to be a quick fix and the two teams you are talking about are probably two of the best teams in the world."
Despite some impressive performances this season, including a 2-1 victory at City in the league last month, wins against Chelsea and Spurs, and a draw at home against Liverpool, United have stumbled badly against sides they would expect to beat, losing to Watford, Bournemouth, Newcastle, and West Ham.
United's midfield lacks creativity in the absence of injured Paul Pogba, and their defence does not look like a cohesive unit, despite the signings of Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the summer transfer window.
"We are a young team and with the injuries we've had and illness it shows more and that's something we are looking at," Solskjaer said.
With the January transfer window approaching, Solskjaer may face a tough battle to persuade clubs to part with their best players, as Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has said nobody he wants to keep will be leaving the King Power Stadium this month.
