Ten Hag will have to make do with what he has (Picture: Getty)
Manchester United will not make any late move in the final week of the January transfer window with even loan signings off the table.
Erik ten Hag’s side have endured a woeful campaign having already crashed out of Europe and currently sit 11 points off the top four in the Premier League having lost nine of their 21 games.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of 25 per cent of the club has offered some hope with structural changes to United’s football operations already along the way with Omar Berrada confirmed as the club’s new chief executive.
But changes on the pitch will have to wait until the summer. United are cautious over breaching financial fair play rules with Everton and Nottingham Forest already charged this season – with the former hit with a 10-point deduction in November.
United have struggled for goals this season and have also now lost Anthony Martial, with the striker ruled out until April after undergoing groin surgery.
Despite that concern, United are not expecting any late moves this month with the window set to close next Wednesday, the Athletic report.
Last year, United brought in Wout Weghorst when United found themselves in a similarly blunt position up front with Marcel Sabitzer also arriving on a temporary deal to provide cover for the injured Christian Eriksen.
Weghorst was brought as another option up front last year (Picture: Getty)
But even loan arrivals at Old Trafford are not anticipated at this stage.
It will leave Ramsus Hojlund as United’s only recognised centre forward for much of the remainder of the season.
The Denmark international has scored seven times since his £72m arrival from Atalanta, finally getting off the mark against Aston Villa after Christmas.
United will again look to sign a striker in the summer with Martial not expected to stay at the club once his contract expires in June.
The Frenchman has started seven games this season, scoring two goals, but has not completed 90 minutes in the league for United since January 2021.
The transfer deadline is next Wednesday.