Manchester United won’t be able to rope in a striker in the January transfer window due to financial fair play (FFP) restrictions, manager Erik ten Hag said on Friday.
United, who travel to Newport County in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, will be without the services of forward Anthony Martial until April due to injury, leaving them with limited options in the frontline.
Forward Rasmus Hojlund, who was signed for 72 million pounds in the close season, has only notched up two goals in the Premier League so far, while Marcus Rashford has four.
"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," Ten Hag told reporters.
"Of course, Rashford can play as a striker. We have some other alternatives but it's clear that Anthony is out for a couple of months and it's a gap in our squad."
Midfielder Mason Mount and goalkeeper Andre Onana were signed for big money in the close season and have splashed out more than 400 million pounds in the last two seasons.
United are eighth in the Premier League, 16 points behind table-toppers Liverpool and Ten Hag admitted the FA Cup was their last chance of silverware this season.
"FA Cup probably is a last opportunity on the trophy and we go for it," Ten Hag said.
United have suffered due to injury woes this season with defender Harry Maguire and Mount still out of action.
For Sunday, midfielder Casemiro and defenders Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez are available. However, goalkeeper Altay Bayindir will make his debut in the absence of Onana, who is currently playing at Africa Cup of Nations.