Man Utd have already held talks with representatives of three forwards ahead of January window

Manchester United will likely sign a new striker in the January transfer window, according to reports, as they try and ease the burden on Rasmus Hojlund.

Hojlund, who joined the ranks from Serie A side Atalanta this summer for a fee of around £72 million, is still looking for his first Premier League goal.

The 20-year-old netted five times in their disastrous Champions League campaign, including braces against Galatasaray and Copenhagen, but a lack of service has been his ultimate downfall.

Alejandro Garnacho, for example, has completed just five passes to Hojlund in 473 minutes of Premier League action, while Antony records an average of 1.2 passes per 90 to the Dane.

United have failed to score in four successive matches in all competitions – the longest they’ve gone without scoring in 31 years – which isn't solely down to the out-of-form Hojlund.

Anthony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho have only netted once in the league this season, while Marcus Rashford has bagged twice.

With all the above in mind, it appears Erik ten Hag will get a new striker when the January window rolls around.

That's according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who has confirmed that United have already held talks with the representatives of three forwards.

Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen, who is represented by the same agency as Ten Hag [SEG], has been named as one of United's targets alongside Bundesliga pair Serhou Guirassy [Stuttgart] and Timo Werner [RB Leipzig].

Speaking to Caught Offside, Romano also played down rumours of a possible move for Sevilla forward Youssef En-Nesyri.

“I haven’t heard anything regarding a Man Utd move for Youssef En-Nesyri as of now,” he said.

“Names I’ve mentioned in the past are Donyell Malen, Serhou Guirassy and Timo Werner because I’m aware that Man Utd spoke to their representatives."

Romano added: “I’m also sure the race is still open and nothing has been decided. I do see Man Utd signing a back-up striker, but this doesn’t change their trust in Rasmus Hojlund for the present and future.”

As well as the above trio, German publication Sport1 name Bologna forward Joshua Zirkee as someone who has "moved high up on the list" when it comes to transfer targets.

Zirkzee, a £7.3 million signing from Bayern Munich last year, is also attracting interest from Inter Milan, Napoli, Juventus and Newcastle after making a blistering start to life in Italy,

It must also be noted that Bayern have a £19 million buy-back option for Zirkee, as well as a 50 per cent sell-on clause should he leave the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.

Joshua Zirkzee

Another Striker linked to Manchester United. Looks solid but the problem we will have with any striker we bring in is CHANCE creation.

Unless we sort that out no striker will flourish because they have to make their own chances. pic.twitter.com/prrtMUeTHu

— Focetowreckwith (@Focemun) December 24, 2023

Manchester United, meanwhile, would have to pay between £30 million and £35 million if they wanted to sign the Dutch forward, who has scored 10 goals in 37 appearances for Bologna.