Manchester United have already signed the likes of Radamel Falcao and Anthony Martial out of the blue on transfer deadline day.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that the club are open to late transfers. So, that being the case, it’s possible the Red Devils will make a surprise signing later in the window. That has been the case in years past, of course, with Radamel Falcao and Anthony Martial certainly two cases of lightning out of nowhere…
Manchester United have had a solid, if unspectacular, transfer window in January so far.
Jack Butland was the first to arrive, with the goalkeeper being loaned by Crystal Palace until the end of the season.
And the Red Devils then set about recruiting Wout Weghorst on a temporary basis, with the striker landing at Crystal Palace.
United are, however, in the market for another striker ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
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Speaking ahead of United’s FA Cup clash with Reading on Friday, Ten Hag confirmed that United were open to more reinforcements arriving.
“In the next few days, if we had an opportunity, I would go for it,” he said.
“But it’s not just up to me. I think that should always be the approach at this club.
“Every day you have to improve, so if there are opportunities to improve you should attack, that’s my approach.
“I’m looking, doing research, I have an idea and I have profiles to strengthen the squad”.
The problem, however, is that speculation has been quiet for now.
United recently held talks with the agents of Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus, whose contract is due to expire at the end of the season.
However, the Red Devils are not currently in talks for the Germany international as the clock ticks down.
The same can be said for Youri Tielemans as well.
United have admired the Leicester star for several years, going back to when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge.
But there’s nothing to suggest they’re in the Belgian international’s shoes at the moment, especially after Donny van de Beek’s season-ending injury to Donny van de Beek.
With Ten Hag open to more signings, however, and having ‘profiles’ on their radar, it’s possible United’s latest deals will include an unexpected signing.
This is certainly something they’ve done on a few occasions in previous years.
United signed Falcao out of the blue in 2014, with no speculation prior to his arrival.
It wasn’t until transfer deadline day that news emerged of United’s interest in the Colombia international, although he would ultimately disappoint with just four goals to his name.
The following year United needed a new No 9 to replace Falcao and Robin van Persie.
And it was then that they managed to land Martial, who was unknown at the time, despite impressing in Monaco.
Even as late as January 2020, United allowed themselves to be linked with a plethora of different strikers before signing Odion Ighalo.
So, as the clock tiiiiiiicks on, it’ll be interesting to see what happens.
United will attack if the right opportunity presents itself, with Ten Hag determined to bolster their ranks.
With limited resources at a time when the club is on the market, however, there is no way to predict what will happen.