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Football Insider

Manchester United Women Target Signings of Hanna Lundkvist and Lea Schuller in January

Manchester United Women are reportedly aiming to bolster their squad by signing Swedish defender Hanna Lundkvist and German forward Lea Schuller in the upcoming January transfer window. Manager Marc Skinner is keen to strengthen the team as they compete in the Women's Super League and aim for success in the Champions League.

Manchester United Women Target Signings of Hanna Lundkvist and Lea Schuller in January

Manchester United Women are reportedly trying to sign Swedish defender Hanna Lundkvist and German forward Lea Schuller as the January transfer window nears. The Red Devils sit fourth in the Women's Super League and are in with a shout of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League. Now, it seems, Marc Skinner's side are keen to strengthen their squad next month.Last week, United boss Skinner called on the club to be aggressive in the winter transfer window and expects to have new recruits in before their WSL clash with Arsenal in early January. This follows after midfielder Celin Bizet announced she is pregnant, while Hinata Miyazawa could represent Japan at the Women's Asian Cup in March. He told reporters: "We made have made history for Manchester United (2024 FA Cup win and qualifying for the Champions League). We are showing progression. Now we need to be aggressive in the window and bring in new players that help support the growth of the team. "I would hope to have one of two players potentially before then. We need three or four in the window. It is a great opportunity to build. The market is crazy but we are talking about it. We need depth so the quality doesn't drop in certain areas when we have to rotate. The (players) won't like it because they won't want to rotate but we need to be aggressive."Ahead of United's WSL game with Tottenham on Sunday, Skinner was once again asked about the Red Devils' chances of signing some players in January. Previously, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe  has expressed lukewarm interest in the fortunes of the women's team. Aside from that, Skinner revealed the latest on the club's recruitment plans on Friday.He said: "We are already hopefully close to a couple of players, which I think will be exciting. We need to be creative within the parameters, but what I'd say is, we need to add to the group. I think I've said this all throughout.... I think everybody's said it, haven't they? But I must stress, and I need to stress again: it's not because of the quality of my players, it's just the depth to kind of continue that experience as well, especially with the level of competition. I mean, you look at this Champions League, a tough tie at the top of the table and then [we have] Champions League again, then a quarter-final. So the level of competition is there. We need to bring in and I know both Matts [Johnson and Hargreaves], head of recruitment [and] obviously head of women's football, are looking into that and have been for ages. So there's a plan, there's a focus. Hopefully we're close to a couple and if we can bring more in that would be nice."Now, according to The Athletic, United are pursuing Lundkvist, who is about to become a free agent following the expiration of her contract with San Diego Wave. The 23-year-old Swede has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain but it seems the WSL side may secure her services. Moreover, the Red Devils are also interested in Bayern Munich's Schuller, whose contract expires next summer. The 28-year-old has scored 103 goals in 179 appearances after joining the club in 2020. If they can sign this duo, that would be a big boost for United's thin squad. Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingUnited's last three games before they head off for the winter break are against Tottenham, Juventus in the Champions League, and then Spurs again, this time in the League Cup. Incidentally, when pressed on where United needs to strengthen, he added: "I think we need to add to the front line. I think honestly in almost all the units in terms of defence, midfield and attack, I'd like to add some depth where we can have a little bit of adaptation, if that makes sense. So we don't become the same team. What I don't like and what I dislike is when we become one style, I need us to continue to mix that style. So yeah, I'm available, or I want to be bringing players in hopefully in each unit in order to kind of just freshen it up and just give that boost of quality and experience."

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United's Ambitions in the Transfer Window

With Manchester United Women currently sitting fourth in the Women's Super League and showing promise in the Champions League, manager Marc Skinner is looking to add depth and quality to the squad. The impending departures of midfielder Celin Bizet and potential absence of Hinata Miyazawa due to international duty have further emphasized the need for reinforcements.

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Skinner's Call for Aggressive Recruitment

Skinner emphasized the importance of being proactive in the transfer market, citing the need to maintain a competitive squad amidst a congested fixture schedule. United's ambition to secure new signings before key fixtures highlights their determination to continue progressing as a team.

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Targets: Lundkvist and Schuller

Reports suggest that Manchester United Women are targeting Hanna Lundkvist, a talented defender currently a free agent, as well as Lea Schuller, a prolific forward from Bayern Munich. Securing these signings would provide a significant boost to United's squad depth and quality as they navigate a demanding schedule.

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Skinner's Strategy for Squad Enhancement

Skinner's clear vision for squad development involves adding depth across different positions to maintain tactical flexibility and prevent predictability. His focus on refreshing the team's style through new signings underscores his commitment to sustaining success in domestic and European competitions.

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Closing Thoughts and Future Fixtures

As Manchester United Women gear up for crucial matches before the winter break, the anticipation for potential new arrivals in January adds an element of excitement. Skinner's holistic approach to squad building and emphasis on adaptability bode well for the team's aspirations moving forward.

Published on Dec 13, 2025