Manchester United have struggled significantly going forward without the profile of a clear striker in the squad.

Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko has seen a sequence of recurring shin injuries forcing him to be sidelined until the new year.

Fans were concerned about the striker depth going into the season, with the view that Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee are not suitable for United, who are balancing Champions League football as well.

Michael Carrick has resorted to Bryan Mbeumo to fill in up front for United. The Cameroonian is a natural right winger and arrived from Brentford in the summer of 2025 after a stellar season on the right under Thomas Frank. 

Whilst Mbeumo does sit as United’s top league scorer this season, all parties would benefit from a more suited striker to lead the line, allowing Mbeumo to return to his more comfortable right wing position.

The January transfer window is unsurprisingly quieter than the summer, with Manchester United’s most recent winter recruits being Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven.

Andy Mitten of The National News has confirmed that Manchester United are likely to bring a striker in during the January transfer window, with a loan deal seeming most likely.

This would provide the depth in the squad necessary to push through all remaining competitions this season. Whether United still have a chance of competing in the Champions League is another story.

Nonetheless, United’s league form needs to improve and recruiting a striker will provide the short-term quality to allow the squad to play to their strengths, an aspect that Carrick utilised strongly last season after his arrival.

Manchester United have a history of striker loans, with the likes of Wout Weghorst and Odion Ighalo arriving at the club in the winter. Since then, Rasmus Hojlund, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edison Cavani have all been and gone as United's strikers, with the club still looking for the permanent fix.

In terms of the potential profile United brings in, Sesko has always offered the big presence United has aimed for, with the attacking instinct to get on the end of moves. United have struggled to replace this, with crosses often leading to nothing and attacks looking flat.

With a loan deal seeming most likely, age should be less of a concern, with experience and proven quality being a priority. Then the long-term fix can come in the summer. Potentially, Borussia Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy could be an option, with the 30-year-old offering the experience and quality in front of goal that United need from a striker.

For now, United need to prioritise turning their form around and building on their first win in ten games after a 3-2 comeback against Roma in midweek. Carrick's next test is Unai Emery's Aston Villa, who are looking to bounce back from their Champions League defeat to Barcelona.