After the big splurge in the summer transfer window, Manchester United were hoping for a quiet winter window.
Initially the plan was to try to sign a substitute right-back after Erik ten Hag brought up Diogo Dalot’s workload problem with the Portuguese starting almost every game leading up to the World Cup.
But since Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrimonious departure, the goalposts have shifted and all the talk has turned to the Red Devils’ attempts to bring in an elite goalscorer.
United’s grueling search for a striker
The manhunt has been long and grueling with the media linking United to every name under the sun.
After the World Cup those links intensified further with all the World Cup heroes linked with a move to Old Trafford.
It soon emerged that with the Glazers putting the club up for sale, loan deals would be the only course of action the club could take come January.
Wout Weghorst’s position is very clear: he loves joining Manchester United, he also knows that Erik ten Hag would like to sign him, so he is 100% interested in the move. ???? #MUFC
Nothing done yet as Man Utd have to talk to Besiktas/Burnley to proceed with the terms of the deal. pic.twitter.com/Xu1CS8zWOL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 8, 2023
That narrowed the search down a lot with the most extensive reports currently linking Atlético Madrid striker Joao Félix with a move to the Theater of Dreams.
Athletic have made the rule about all targets currently linked to United and have identified Wout Weghorst, Felix and Memphis Depay as the most logical targets from now on.
Despite all the talk surrounding Bayern Munich’s Eric Maxim Chupo-Moting and Al-Nassr’s Vincent Aboubakar, currently Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate, the club has not planned any such moves.
Summer Search vs January Search
The report also described how United were searching for a striker in the summer considering Ronaldo’s uncertain future at the club.
At the time, Weghorst was never discussed internally by the club.
Interesting names like Marko Arnautovic, Alvaro Morata, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Depay and Mauro Icardi among others were on the list of possible targets.
United Matchday Magazine – Stay on top of everything in red. Still itching for more United content? Get everything you need right here. For just £1.25 per issue / £3.75 per month, you’ll receive unique United information, delivered directly to your inbox, before every game and throughout the month.
Get exclusive preparation for every game, plus team news, tactics and history. Not only that – United Matchday is packed with articles, news, transfer news, riddles, nostalgia and humor. Impress your friends and stay on top of everything in red!
