After learning of Liverpool’s capture of Cody Gakpo, some Manchester United fans may have been less than excited to hear that their club are deciding to look at the loan market for a new striker in January.
The wallet is a little lighter at Old Trafford after the summer’s £225m splash and so the Reds are not going to be spending extravagantly again in the new year.
However, there are still potential deals to be had with Joao Felix reportedly available for a loan. Atletico Madrid CEO Marin Gil has indicated the player wants an exit amid his strained relationship with boss Diego Simeone.
The likes of Goncalo Ramos and Memphis Depay have been linked while United are still keeping the door open for a potential Frenkie de Jong pursuit.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag lauded Raphael Varane’s performance on his return to club football nine days after the World Cup final.
The France international played 113 minutes in the final defeat to Argentina in the Lusail Stadium and Varane lasted 77 minutes in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, having offered to start amid a defensive injury crisis.
Harry Maguire is still not 100 per cent fit after contracting a virus towards the end of England’s World Cup run in Qatar, Victor Lindelof was absent due to illness while Lisandro Martinez has only just returned from celebrating Argentina’s World Cup win in his homeland.
United insist they were not serious about signing Cody Gakpo prior to his Liverpool agreement, though there can be no ignoring the obvious fact that Ten Hag wanted him last summer and is still a huge fan.
It might not seem that way right now, but it has probably worked out best that United have not spent a sizeable sum on another forward that prefers playing on the left, particularly given that their squad list against Forest included three of them: Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Elanga.
Rashford has been a man in fine form all season, and while there is certainly need for another attacker in the first-team squad, he is currently undroppable on his current output.
David de Gea
Made an unorthodox save with his chest in the first-half. Made a key double save in the 71st minute. 7
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Another decent performance on his second successive start. Supported the forwards but often lacked the end product. 6
Raphael Varane
Earned applause from Erik ten Hag in the third minute for a recovery run and intervened more than once inside his own third. A classy return nine days after the World Cup final. 8
United returned to Premier League action in style last night with a 3-0 over Nottingham Forest.
Despite missing players to illness and having a makeshift defence with Luke Shaw at centre-back, United dominated the match and were comfortable winners. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial scored within moments of each other in the first half before Fred calmly slotted home the third late on.
The result takes Erik ten Hag’s side up to fifth and within a point of Tottenham with a game in hand.
Marcus Rashford grabbed a goal and an assist during the first half of the match last night.
He’s now reached double figures for the season while his assist for Anthony Martial was his fourth of the term.
Harry Maguire was named on the bench for last night’s clash with Nottingham Forest, with Luke Shaw being put at centre-back.
Maguire did not feature against Burnley last Wednesday, either.
United are planning to utilise the loan market in their search for a striker in January.
The Reds spent £225m last summer and Erik ten Hag will be handed limited amounts in the winter window.
Porto stopper Diogo Costa, 23, is one of the top names linked with the club.
The club are also being constantly linked with a move for Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix.
United beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 thanks to a sublime performance from Casemiro and goals from Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Fred.
Pundit Alan Shearer believes that Man Utd need to buy a striker despite the good from of Marcus Rashford.
Shearer thinks Rashford is better suited to playing on the left, he said: “I think Marcus enjoys it more, he looks better certainly, in the position we saw tonight [vs Nottingham Forest].
“He’s been given a little bit of freedom – if he wants to go down the middle at times, he can.
“But when he’s got all that space to run into from out wide, he’s a better player in doing that and he’s very, very good at doing that.
“In terms of him being a centre-forward, he lacks that killer instinct, that natural ability to think ‘yeah, I’m going to get in there, I’m going to get the two or three yarders’.
“But there’s no doubting his ability, he’s a fantastic player.
“I’d certainly look to go into the market to see if they could find a centre-forward.”
Al-Nassr president Musli Al-Muammar has shut down claims Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed to join the club.
The 37-year-old is a free agent after seeing his contract ripped up following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
There have been reports linking Ronaldo to the Saudi Arabian club – some claim the transfer has been agreed or there is a medical scheduled.
However, Al-Muammar responded, via Sky Sports: “[Reports on] Ronaldo are not right and most of what has been written and said in the media is a lie.”
Man Utd have reportedly moved on from Joao Felix after discovering how costly it would be to sign the Atletico Madrid star.
The Portuguese ace is keen to move away from the LaLiga club, but a deal would likely cost United more than half a million pounds PER GAME.
Atletico are demanding a loan fee of at least £8million and along with Felix’s wages, a deal would cost £16m.
In addition, there would be no option to make the loan permanent, according to The Times.
If reports on Man Utd having no money to spend in the January transfer market are true, then they could need another Odion Ighalo type signing.
Back in 2020, during the mid-season window, United needed a back-up No.9 and with funds restricted and time running out before the deadline, the club opted to sign the ex-Watford striker on loan.
He went on to play 23 times for the club across two seasons, netting five goals.
Joao Felix could reportedly leave Atletico Madrid on loan presenting Man Utd with a temporary option, although he may not come cheap.
Or they could surprise everyone like they did three years ago and bring in a striker like Ighalo.
The Nigerian, 33, is now playing at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Erik ten Hag has admitted that Manchester United “need numbers” after his side missed out on Cody Gakpo.
The Red Devils were strongly linked with the Dutchman for much of last summer but opted to prioritise a move for Antony, however, were expected to return for Gakpo in January.
Asked about his side’s failure to sign Gakpo while appearing on Amazon Prime Video after United beat Nottingham Forest 3-0, Ten Hag didn’t shy away from his desire for reinforcements.
He said: “I don’t talk about individual cases.
“We are looking for a striker, it would be good with so many games coming.
“We want to stay in all the leagues we are playing in and you need numbers in the squad.”
On his side’s hunt for a forward, the 52-year-old added: “We are always in the market but it has to match the sporting and financial criteria.”
According to the Mail, the Red Devils will have NO transfer funds to spend next month.