West Ham United are in desperate need of January recruits and Slaven Bilic could rival West Bromwich Albion for a Manchester United outcast.
Under pressure: West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
Slaven Bilic‘s side have lost eight of their opening 13 Premier League matches and look set for an unexpected relegation battle.
The latest defeat, a 5-1 humiliation at the hands of London rivals Arsenal, set alarm bells ringing as the Hammers slipped one point and one place above the bottom three.
The club’s summer transfer business has been the subject of scathing criticism from all quarters with only Edimilson Fernandes proving a success from the 10 first team players signed.
Edimilson Fernandes
Now Bilic must go back into the volatile January market in search of players to help steer his side away from danger during what has been a nightmare first season at their new 60,000 Olympic Stadium home.
The club has been linked with a host of players but Bilic must focus on certain key areas.
One of those is at right wing back where Michail Antonio, one of his side’s best attacking threats, has been reluctantly deployed this season.
And Bilic should rival high-flying West Brom boss Tony Pulis for Manchester United outcast Ashley Young, a player who famously snubbed the Hammers in favour of a move to Aston Villa from Watford a decade ago.
Ashley Young has not had much game time at Old Trafford
Young has made eight appearances this season, but just two starts and two substitute appearances in the top flight.
Like Antonio, the former England man is a winger by preference but has largely been used as a full-back over the last two seasons.
Young’s last appearance came in the 3-1 win at Swansea a month ago where he got 90 minutes under his belt.
West Ham’s Michail Antonio could benefit from the arrival of Young
The Sun reports Everton, former club Watford and Swansea City are also interested in the 31-year-old as well as the Baggies.
But West Ham, despite their perilous position at the moment, would offer young the most attractive prospect playing with the likes of Dimitri Payet and at the London Stadium.
It would also allow Bilic more options down the right hand side as the Red Devils winger and Antonio can rotate positions while Young can also operate as an emergency left back as cover for Aaron Cresswell.
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