It’s pretty clear that despite leading the Premier League table 13 matches into the 2012-2013 season, Manchester United are far from a complete team. Alex Ferguson is planning some changes and moves for the January Transfer window, hoping to strengthen his team with Adel Taarabt and Angelo Ogbonna.

It’s pretty simple: Everyone’s pleased about the attack at United; Robin van Persie and Chicharito can’t stop scoring (13 goals combined) while Wayne Rooney is played the behind the striker/attacking midfielder role perfectly in the absence of Shinji Kagawa. United have scored 32 goals, just under 2.5 per game, and have shown that comeback is once again synonymous with their dominance.

The defense is another thing. United have a problem keeping possession and defending against much quicker teams. It seems no matter what kind of personnel Ferguson uses in his defense, a hole and breach will be created and made use of. So far, they’ve lost three times on these defensive problems, with rivals Manchester City, struggling in other ways, have yet to be defeated this season.

Ferguson wants some young blood in his midfield. Paul Scholes has his pluses, but can’t contain counter attacks as he once did. Ryan Giggs look closer to retirement than ever, while the rest of the players at the position are quite inconsistent. Bringing in a young, more attacking player like Adel Taarabt, with all the baggage and possible behavioral problems he can create, seems like the direction. Taarabt, 23, has 8 appearances for QPR this season, scoring twice.

Is he what United need? He’s more of an attacking midfielder or a winger; United do need someone on the left, with Dany Welbeck or Ashley Young usually playing the part, not very successfully up to this point. If Ferguson continues his trend of giving up on playing through the center of the midfield and basing all of his talents and cards up front, Taarabt isn’t a bad choice.

For the defense, there’s the name of Angelo Ogbonna coming up, not for the first time. The 24 year old centre back has been scouted by United for quite some time now, and it seems that day he lands at Old Trafford and officially replaces the fading Rio Ferdinand isn’t that far away; maybe even in a couple of months, to begin his internship.

Ogbonna has played for Torino his entire career and has nine appearances this season for the club in their Serie A return, so far staying above the dangerous waters of the relegation zone. He’s also been capped five times for the Italian national team.

Image: Source