Manchester United have an incredible opportunity to hand Erik ten Hag last-gasp attacking reinforcements with one of his first reported transfer targets as the club’s manager. With around 48 hours of the January window remaining, United look to be entering the final few months of the season low on firepower.
Jadon Sancho hasn’t been an option for Ten Hag since the first month of the campaign due to his exile. He’s now no longer at Carrington at all, having returned to Borussia Dortmund on a short loan this month.
Meanwhile, Anthony Martial has been struck with his latest in a relentless trend of injury issues that have ultimately derailed his United career. He is expected back in April after undergoing groin surgery.
Facundo Pellistri is also no longer an option from the bench, with his short loan at La Liga outfit Granada set to be confirmed imminently.
It leaves Rasmus Hojlund as Ten Hag’s sole natural striker despite it being the 20-year-old’s maiden season in English football.
Marcus Rashford has his own problems on and off the pitch, and it took Antony until Sunday’s FA Cup clash against League Two Newport County to register his first goal contributions of the season.
The underperforming pair join Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo as United’s senior options. Omari Forson, 19, also appears in the frame, making his first two first-team appearances this week.
Regardless, it’s not exactly the attacking bite required to spark confidence that United will shoot into top-four contention and embark on an FA Cup run in the coming weeks.
An opportunity to add to the attacking department has emerged, though, and the Red Devils have limited time to react.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Paris Saint-Germain are attempting to send striker Hugo Ekitike out on loan for the second half of the campaign.
The 21-year-old has made just one appearance for PSG this season, and discussions took place on Tuesday to agree a solution.
