Manchester United's transfers gives Erik ten Hag valuable lesson in hit-and-miss scenario

Manchester United have not made many forays into the loan market in the Premier League era.

The sheer nature of a loan at United, as it is with many other clubs, is signing a stop-gap, a temporary space in the squad that needs filling, solving an issue hopefully for a few months before attempting to tackle it with greater certainty in the summer. This season has been a case in point.

United were left light in the centre-forward department when Cristiano Ronaldo's bombshell interview with Piers Morgan led to the Portuguese superstar's swift exit from Old Trafford for the second time. It was a void which simply had to be filled.

READ MORE: Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil makes bold Manchester United claim after defeat

The Reds have had success with bringing in strikers on loan deals in the past. Carlos Tevez, before his departure and controversial move to Manchester City, had a trophy-laden spell at Old Trafford including winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League, League Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

His first-season form in particular alongside Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney was a big factor in United becoming champions of England and Europe at the same time. Despite the aftermath of his move to City, the two-year loan was undoubtedly a success.

The same can be said of Henrik Larsson's stint at United in 2007 from Swedish side Helsingborg. The experience he brought to the table helped Sir Alex Ferguson's side get over the line and seal their first league title in four years.

Even Odion Ighalo's initial impact at United from Shanghai Shenhua before the Covid-19 pandemic put the brakes on world football was an encouraging one, with four goals in eight games.

Wout Weghorst has clearly not filled the void