Transfer Centre

Erik ten Hag rules out Manchester United signing a striker in January

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 26 January 2024

Ten Hag rules out Man United signing a striker in January

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says that his club will not be signing a new striker before the end of the January transfer window.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has revealed that his club will not be signing a new striker before the January transfer window closes for business.

The Red Devils have been without Anthony Martial since the start of December and will be missing him for another 10 weeks at least, with the forward undergoing a groin operation earlier this week.

As a result, Rasmus Hojlund, 20, is the only senior striker available for selection, and the Denmark international has managed just two Premier League goals during the 2023-24 campaign.

The 20-time English champions have been linked with a loan move for Al-Ittihad's Karim Benzema, while Bayern Munich's Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Ajax's Brian Brobbey have also been mentioned as possible targets.

A report earlier this week suggested that Callum Wilson had emerged as a potential incoming, with Newcastle United open to selling him before the winter window shuts.

Newcastle United's Callum Wilson pictured on August 19, 2023 © Reuters

However, Ten Hag, speaking during his press conference on Friday afternoon, said that there is simply no room in the budget for a new forward due to the rules surrounding Financial Fair Play.

"I looked but there is no space. There is no space for FFP to do something about this lack of quantity in the striker position," the Dutchman told reporters.

Ten Hag has said that Marcus Rashford will be used as a striker when Hojlund is either unavailable or rested, but the manager accepts that there is "a gap" in the squad.

"Of course, Rashford can play as a striker; we have some other alternatives and it's clear that Anthony is out for a couple of months it's a gap in our squad, clear," he added.

Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur on January 14, 2024 © Reuters

Man United are expected to prioritise the signing of a new striker this summer, with incoming minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe believed to be targeting an elite player in that area of the field.

The Red Devils are preparing for Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round contest with Newport County, with the competition representing the club's only realistic chance of silverware this season.

"It's the truth, but the league, qualification for the Champions League. FA Cup is, as you say, probably is, fact, a last opportunity on the trophy and we go for it," Ten Hag said on Friday.

After the clash with Newport, Man United will switch their attention back to the Premier League, with the team heading to Wolverhampton Wanderers on February 1.

Ten Hag's side are currently eighth in the Premier League table, 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and eight from Tottenham Hotspur in fifth.