Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd dash Ten Hag striker plans with plan B involving Chelsea attacker now taking centre stage

Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag

Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag

TEAMtalk has learned Man Utd have cut Erik ten Hag off at the knees and will not spend big on a new striker in January, instead prioritising a loan arrival that could see a Chelsea attacker jump ship.

The premature exit of Cristiano Ronaldo has left Ten Hag a man light in his forward line. Ronaldo was never a regular starter under the Dutchman, though was a tried and tested option off the bench when required.

His departure by mutual agreement prompted rampant speculation Man Utd would sign a direct replacement next month.

Indeed, a vast array of ready-made options have been linked, including Cody Gakpo, Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix, to name just three.

The Telegraph recently reported United are prepared to try their luck with a £43m bid for PSV Eindhoven’s Gakpo in January.

That is a figure already £8m above Gakpo’s valuation of £35m last summer and some way short of what FootMercato claimed his real value has soared to (£65m).

Whether any such bid is made and subsequently accepted or rejected, only time will tell. However, TEAMtalk have been told United are having second thoughts about spending big in the winter window.

Man Utd won’t go big in January

Ten Hag can already call upon Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial to lead his line. We’ve since learned the Red Devils are seemingly prepared to rely on that pair and instead of splashing the cash on a front-line forward, will instead prioritise a short-term loan signing.

The idea there is to ensure United aren’t cajoled into overpaying in the notoriously treacherous winter window.

United will also have more time to study their targets over the summer and lessen the chance of making a hasty decision they may later come to regret.

United’s stance of any January addition being a loan signing rather than a permanent deal will come as a major blow for Ten Hag as he looks to add top quality to his squad for the second half of the season.

Man Utd were among the biggest spenders in Europe during the summer transfer window with the club backing Ten Hag to the tune of £211.5m. The club would again prefer to wait until next summer before their next big outlay in the transfer market.

United now could look for a deal similar to the loan signing of Odion Ighalo in January 2020 to fill the void left by Ronaldo. That would bolster the ranks for the second half of the campaign and then tee up a big-name forward arrival next summer.

On the subject of who United could sign on loan, Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic has been heavily linked by a reliable source.

United “will consider a loan move” for Pulisic

The American, 24, has struggled for form and fitness at Stamford Bridge in recent times. However, he has shown flashes of brilliance and as a short-term option, few would come better.

His arrival would also weaken a top four rival and ESPN’s Mark Ogden stated in late-November he’s aware Man Utd are mulling a loan swoop.

“I’ve been told Manchester United will consider a loan move for Christian Pulisic when the window opens next month,” said Ogden.

He continued: “Man Utd, Arsenal and Newcastle have been made aware by those that represent Pulisic that he is available and keen to move in January.

“I don’t believe Man Utd will be prepared to spend money in January to sign Pulisic. That applies to most clubs in the EPL right now – January isn’t a market where they tend to do big business.

“But a loan move is certainly a possibility because they’ve let Cristiano Ronaldo go. Erik ten Hag does need additional forwards to choose from.”

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