Manchester United could regret sending one youngster on loan as FFP ties transfer hands

The transfer gossip columns will link Manchester United with dozens of new signings before deadline day, but the reality is that any new signings remain highly unlikely.

At his press conference on Friday, Erik ten Hag addressed the probability of signing another striker on loan and all but ended speculation of any arrivals this month.

"I looked but there is no space," he said. "No space on FFP to do something about this lack of quantity in the striker position. Of course, we have Rashford, who can play as a striker, I think we also have some other alternatives creative. But it's clear: Anthony [Martial] is out for a couple of months. It's a gap in our squad, clear."

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A couple of hours later, United's threadbare front line was exposed once again. Rasmus Hojlund is the only fit striker at the club and the only logical option to replace him through the middle is currently injured.

Hojlund looks certain to start against Newport tomorrow out of necessity as much as anything but it will take careful management to keep him fit across the fixtures that lie ahead. The Danish forward missed three matches after he arrived injured in the summer and while it might seem pessimistic, they are only one injury away from further disaster in the frontline.

Martial's injury has ended any hope of a January exit, meaning United are stuck with what they've got until the end of the season. Hojlund has netted just seven goals in his debut season and Marcus Rashford is simply not a centre-forward.

United sources have been reluctant to outright rule out a move for