Ruben Amorim and Man United wildcard January transfer option as Viktor Gyokeres alternative emerges

An alternative to Viktor Gyokeres is seemingly presenting itself to Manchester United in time for the January transfer window.

Before becoming the United boss, Ruben Amorim effectively ruled out signing the Sweden international after vowing that his new club would not be signing players from his former employers in the new year. However, he stopped short of extending that promise until the summer transfer window, when he all but acknowledged the striker would leave Sporting.

There have been claims that United are in the market for a centre-forward in January. Amorim starting Marcus Rashford over Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee against Ipswich Town only fuelled that speculation. Fresh reports now suggest someone United have previously shown interest in could be available.

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The Telegraph claims Brighton and Hove Albion will make Evan Ferguson available on loan during January should their current striking department remain fit and firing. United academy graduate Danny Welbeck is starting ahead of the man 14 years his senior for the Seagulls this season, with Joao Pedro and Georginio Rutter supporting the striker.

All three appear ahead of the Republic of Ireland international in the mind of Brighton head coach Fabian Huerzeler despite Ferguson's desperation to play. They claim that a loan within the Premier League rather than the Championship is the likeliest destination, with Fulham, Leicester City, Newcastle United and West Ham United named as teams struggling in front of goal this season.

United has not scored more than any of