Manchester United have prioritised summer spending amid their decision not to recruit a goalscorer in the winter transfer window, with a new forward set to be targeted in the close season.
United do not expect any more incomings before tonight's 11pm transfer deadline despite failing to score in a ninth Premier League game this season in the defeat to Crystal Palace. United, 13th in the league, have a -6 goal difference.
The £108.5million investments in strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in successive summers restricted United from sharpening a blunt attack. Hojlund has not scored in 13 games and Zirkzee has managed one goal in 16.
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The United hierarchy had no intention of moving for a short-term or stop-gap signing that could have been regarded as a panic buy. Winter window signings Ayden Heaven, 18, and Patrick Dorgu, 20, are more aligned with the €70million deal for Leny Yoro in the summer.
United admitted to a fans' group last month that they are in danger of breaching the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules and that also prevented any major deal for a striker. Dorgu joined from Lecce for £25m rising to £29m while United paid Arsenal a compensation fee for Heaven.
Working within the financial constraints had a major bearing on United's activity and the club is continuing to examine options to reduce costs to raise revenues.
Senior club sources insist the hierarchy and coach Ruben Amorim are pleased with United's winter business, with Paraguayan left back Diego Leon due to arrive in the summer after he has turned 18. United believe Leon, Dorgu and Heaven are high-potential recruits for the long-term who have not commanded high fees.
Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Ineos Group assumed control of the football operations, all of United's signings have been aged 26 and under. Yoro, Heaven and Leon are all teenagers. United refused to sacrifice that strategy in favour of a quick fix.
United considered moves for Bayern Munich teenager Mathys Tel and Christopher Nukunu of Chelsea but have taken a risk with a forward line that has been halved since the start of the season. Jadon Sancho joined Chelsea on a season-long loan in the summer before Marcus Rashford, Antony and Ethan Wheatley left on loan in the winter.
Despite the absence of a new forward, United consciously took what sources have described as a "sensible and financially disciplined approach" to the winter window. Any more spending in January and February would have reduced United's summer budget.
That will pave the way for a probable major striker signing in the summer amid the struggles of Hojlund and Zirkzee. Members of the United hierarchy had doubts about Zirkzee early in the season. Hojlund is closely aligned with former manager Erik ten Hag, having joined the SEG International agency that represents the Dutchman on the eve of his £72million transfer to United in July 2023.
