Manchester United will sign a new striker in the January transfer window to add competition for Rasmus Hojlund and address Erik ten Hag’s lack of goals, according to reports. The Dutchman is said to have at least three names on his shortlist, while another potential target has been mooted elsewhere.
United have failed to score a single goal in their last four games against AFC Bournemouth, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and West Ham United.
The 418-minute-long goal drought has seen the Red Devils’ season take a disastrous turn – exiting the Champions League rock bottom of Group A and slipping down to eighth in the Premier League.
Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at West Ham was their 13th defeat in 26 matches this season – their worst record at Christmas since 1930.
But that dismal record is always possible for a side that can’t score goals. United’s 18 league-goal tally this term betters just one club – 20th-placed Sheffield United.
Ten Hag will reportedly pursue a solution in the New Year to attempt to salvage something from his woeful second campaign at the helm.
According to Fabrizio Romano, United are likely to recruit a backup striker this winter to add competition for struggling £72million star Rasmus Hojlund.
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The 20-year-old flaunting his potential in the Champions League, ending the group stage as joint-top goalscorer after netting five times.
But he is yet to open his Premier League account in 14 outings, and Anthony Martial looks to be counting down the days to exit Old Trafford for good.
The report adds that United have held talks with the representatives of Borussia Dortmund ace Donyell Malen, Bundesliga bagsman Serhou Guirassy and RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner.
Elsewhere, Sevilla frontman Youssef En-Nesyri has been linked with an Old Trafford switch. However, Romano claims he hasn’t heard anything on that front.
The transfer guru also stressed that United’s interest in a new striker in January doesn’t spell bad news for Hojlund.
He remains highly rated in M16, and there is faith that the 20-year-old will prove a positive buy for years to come.
Hojlund undoubtedly needs support, though. Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford have been just as hapless contributing to goals this season.
Martial has been ineffective for a long time, and Jadon Sancho would rather watch the chaos unfold from the other side of Carrington.
Any move next month would likely be a loan amid Financial Fair Play restrictions unless United can shift Martial or Sancho.
