Erik ten Hag refused to be drawn on reports linking Manchester United with a move for Marko Arnautovic. Bologna forward Arnautovic, 32, has emerged as a potential shock signing by United as they struggle to reinforce their attack in the transfer market.
United have shown interest in Ajax attackers Antony and Brian Brobbey, as well as Red Bull Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko. Also read: Ten Hag defends key selection vs Brighton Arnautovic returned to Europe last year after spending two years in China with Shanghai Port.
The possible addition of the former Stoke and West Ham maverick would invite ridicule, particularly as United loaned in Odion Ighalo from Chinese Super League team Shanghai Shenhua on deadline day in January 2020. "I don't go into names because I think in this pre-season 250 players are involved or linked with Man United, so that's it," Ten Hag said. "We have two strikers, maybe a third one, with Rashford as well. "We considered him as a striker but he had a really good pre-season on the left side and today he had two really good chances coming in from the left side. "So I think it was the right decision to do it like this.
But the typical 9 wasn't available today." A hamstring injury to Anthony Martial led to Ten Hag selecting a strikerless side for the defeat to Brighton.