Erik ten Hag might have an emergency Manchester United signing if World Cup bites

After an underwhelming start to the season, Erik ten Hag's side have been much improved in the past month. The opening two defeats against Brighton and Brentford threatened to spoil the positive feeling around the club after an impressive pre-season campaign.

But things have picked up since. The defence has performed extremely well in recent weeks after a shaky start to the campaign, and United's attacking players — with Cristiano Ronaldo usually among the substitutes — are starting to deliver.

Marcus Rashford has recorded five goal contributions in six matches, while Jadon Sancho has already demonstrated why the club were so desperate to sign him. While Anthony Martial — who is currently sidelined with an injury — enjoyed a positive pre-season campaign, he hasn't yet been able to transfer that into the new season.

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Despite Ten Hag's side's recent form, notably on an attacking front, they are a couple of injuries away from being in real trouble. Should, for example, Rashford not recover from his current injury, or Martial takes longer than expected to return from his, the Reds would certainly be light up front.

Speaking in August, Javier Hernandez offered to 'play for free' to help solve Ten Hag's striker 'crisis' at Old Trafford. The LA Galaxy frontman said that he wouldn't think twice about stepping in to help should he be asked back by United.

When discussing United's attempts to recruit a new forward, the 34-year-old told PA: “If United came for me then I’d say ‘yes, I’ll play for free.’ Of course, you know, I’d do that.

“But I also want to be very respectful to my club. I am playing very consistently and in my mind and my world, my conviction