Manchester United have struggled in front of goal this season as none of their forwards found their form in their second season under manager Erik ten Hag.
Last week, Jadon Sancho left to return to Borussia Dortmund, on loan, and in his first match back he grabbed an assist, but while he was at Old Trafford he consistently underwhelmed.
He wasn’t the only one. Marcus Rashford’s form has fallen off a cliff after seeming to recover last season, Antony continues to baffle supporters with his decision-making, Rasmus Hojlund is yet to adjust to the Premier League, and Anthony Martial is rarely considered for regular first-team action, and looks set to leave on a free transfer on the summer - if not sooner.
It is no surprise then that United are linked with reinforcements this winter. Like many other teams in Europe, they are struggling to balance the books to find funds for new signings, making a loan deal or cheap move more likely. As well as Sancho’s departure, Alvaro Fernandez will join Benfica, and Sergio Reguilon has returned to Tottenham. Donny van de Beek has left for Eintracht Frankfurt, so there could be money for a bargain deal.
We look at three potential options for Ten Hag.
Karim Benzema
Reports suggest the French international is unsettled at Saudi Arabia and the 36-year-old Al-Ittihad forward could be open to a return to Europe. He was linked heavily with a move to United before he joined Real Madrid many years ago, and even at his advanced age he has continued scoring - and Real were not looking to get rid of him this season.
A loan move for United could be an easy way out for his current club and the striker, and not tie United down to a long-term signing of an expensive older player.
Serhou Guirassy
The former Lens striker continued to impress when he was loaned to Stuttgart, and this season he is in double figures for the fourth time in his career. The 27-year-old seems set to notch 20 goals in a campaign for the first time ever, and rumours abound that he has a release clause of 15 million euros.
While United are operating on a tight budget, surely they could structure a deal to land the in-form Guinea international?
Eric Choupo-Moting
Few expected the Stoke striker to continue his career so impressively, but after being relegated to the Championship he then moved onto the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain. There he was happy to occupy a role as an experienced alternative to give other players time to recover, while chipping in goals.
He did so reliably, and then earned himself a move to Bayern Munich, where he has so far notched 38 goals for the German champions. With Bayern likely willing to let him go for the right price, he could be another Plan B at one of Europe's biggest clubs.