Mark Goldbridge: Manchester United’s January transfer targets are unexciting, embarrassing and foolish – signing any of these strikers is a massive risk

In an exclusive column for talkSPORT.com, Mark Goldbridge has offered his verdict on the four strikers being linked with January moves to Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag is looking to add options to his strike force in the winter transfer window — new year, fresh start, a new Manchester United, right?

Well, as Goldbridge explains, not quite, as the Premier League club don’t appear to have learned their lessons from numerous transfer mistakes in the past.

There is only one place to start after Tottenham moved ahead of Manchester United in the race for Timo Werner.

Goldbridge was writing before it emerged that the Red Devils are no longer frontrunners, but he didn't sound particularly keen anyway...

There are concerns about this — the major concerns across all of these targets is that they’re just not at the level or excitement of what Manchester United need.

You’d rather be going for Ivan Toney or Victor Osimhen.

But I believe in relation to what’s available at the moment and the money Man United have, you’ve got to shop in a certain outlet where people like Werner are the most viable options.

I don't think Timo Werner at Chelsea was as bad as people think. I think he missed a lot of chances but his overall game is relatively decent.

And what we’re looking at here is a short-term option until the summer, this is not a long-term signing unless he hits the ground running.

I mean, as sad as it sounds, if it’s Timo Werner or nothing, then I’m certainly going to take Timo Werner, and I think I’d also probably take Timo Werner over some of the other options linked around Manchester United.

Yeah, it’s not exciting, but in January with no money I think this is about the peak of what Manchester United can achieve at the moment when you