Manchester United are in a race against the clock as the January transfer window gets ready to close.
United have been happy to sit on the sidelines and offload players this month. For the most part, this has been successful with Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek heading out on loan.
However, this week's Anthony Martial news will have created panic in the United boardroom. The Reds are staring at the possibility of there being just one No.9 available to them. This is what happens when you are reactive rather than proactive in a transfer window.
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United need to find a striker who will not only fill a place on the bench but can also make an impact. United are one of the lowest scorers in the top flight this season and while Rasmus Hojlund shows great potential, he does not yet have the raw finishing ability needed to be a reliable threat.
Such a challenge would be tricky in a summer window, never mind in the winter when transfers are few and far between. As the window prepares to close on February 1, clubs will be more and more reluctant to part with their best players given the lack of time available in which they could source a replacement. With every passing day United's task gets more and more difficult.
United are still an attractive option but Erik ten Hag is waiting on a miracle.
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