Erik ten Hag admits that he is unlikely to sign a replacement for striker Anthony Martial in the January transfer window due to Financial Fair Play restrictions.
Martial has been ruled out for 10 weeks following groin surgery, leaving United with one just one recognised striker in Rasmus Hojlund.
United have been linked with Karim Benzema, who is looking to leave Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, Ajax striker Brian Brobbey and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting of Bayern Munich, but Ten Hag admitted that there is not enough room in United’s budget to satisfy FFP if he signed a replacement.
The United manager admitted that it will leave a gap in his squad for most of the second half of the season, but is ready to switch Marcus Rashford from the wing to fill in where necessary.
‘I looked but there is no space on FFP to do something about this lack of quantity in the striker position,’ said Ten Hag.
‘Of course, Rashford can play as a striker.
‘We have some other creative alternatives and it’s clear Anthony is out for a couple of months. It’s a gap in our squad, clear.’
Ten Hag has spent £400million on new players since taking over last year, but United’s focus this month has been to offload a number of fringe players including Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek, Facundo Pellsitri and Hannibal Mejbri.
