delayed due to financial uncertainties, despite manager Ruben Amorim’s public appeal.
The Red Devils introduced two new defenders during the January transfer window—Patrick Dorgu from Lecce and Ayden Heaven from Arsenal—but the significant void remained in their attack.
Despite spending a combined £108 million on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, the duo has only scored five goals this season.
Only four other Premier League teams have scored fewer goals this campaign, and during Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace, the Portuguese manager even deployed midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as a forward.
The necessity for a new striker was deprioritized by the decision-makers at Old Trafford.
The club’s leadership was satisfied with their business in the window and chose a financially cautious approach to transfers.
They were unwilling to risk high loan fees for unproven youngsters without a purchase option, as Bayern Munich would have required for Mathys Tel.
The club believes this careful strategy will offer more flexibility in the summer transfer window, where they aim to find players who fit Amorim’s long-term vision.
United also viewed the loan moves of Marcus Rashford and Antony, with most of their wages being covered by Aston Villa and Real Betis respectively, as significant business transactions.
Operating under strict financial constraints and Profit and Sustainability (PSR) limits, United felt that any costly, short-term deals would compromise their long-term cost-cutting and sustainability measures.
This decision came just days after Amorim publicly expressed his desire for attacking signings, acknowledging the challenges of finding quality additions during the winter window.
He stated: “It’s a problem for the team, we speak about that all the time and we need to improve our performance in every aspect, especially scoring goals.
“We are trying everything to improve the team without doing mistakes of the past. And trying to balance the urgency of the moment. We know all of the aspects of our club in the moment but we are trying everything. There is one more day, let’s wait until the window closes.
