Man Utd's five-man January striker shortlist emerges as club 'consider' move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Manchester United are assessing the market for centre forwards ahead of the January transfer window, with five names - including Dominic Calvert-Lewin - emerging as possible targets.

It has been a disappointing start to the 2026-27 campaign for Michael Carrick's side, and the absence of Benjamin Sesko has not helped matters as they continue to struggle in front of goal.

Sesko, who last featured for United in mid-September, when they were beaten by Brighton in the Carabao Cup, has been sidelined for much of the season with a shin problem.

READ MORE: Five Bruno Fernandes replacements Man Utd could target after Michael Carrick peace talks

The 23-year-old is said to have undergone thorough checks at Carrington, but the club are concerned that he could be sidelined for another four months, according to The Sun.

Should that prove to be the case, United may be forced to strengthen with a new striker in January. So, who has been linked?

United have been linked with five strikers in recent days

Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin is being considered, according to a report from The Athletic, which claims the 29-year-old striker has been on United's radar 'for some time'.

It is said recruitment staff are 'trying to establish' whether a move for the player, who recently scored at Old Trafford, is actually feasible in January, but the chances of a transfer happening are thought to be 'remote'.

Other names to have been linked with United this month include Nicolo Tresoldi, the highly-rated striker who has scored 11 goals in 12 games for Belgian side Club Brugge this season.

Nicolo Tresoldi is attracting a huge amount of interest. Image credit: Getty

The race to sign Tresoldi, 22, is expected to be fierce in the coming months, with Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Barcelona keen. He is, however, on United's shortlist, according to TeamTalk.

The same report also names Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta, Freiburg's Igor Matanovic and Dion Beljo, the 24-year-old striker from Dinamo Zagreb, as being on that list of targets.

Mateta is Premier League-proven, having netted 50 goals in 164 top-flight appearances for Crystal Palace.

Matanovic has an impressive record at Freiburg, scoring seven goals in all competitions this season, while Croatia's Dion Beljo is in the form of his life with Zagreb, having netted 17 goals in 17 games this campaign.

Rayan Ait-Nouri 'open' to joining Man Utd in January

Manchester City wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is reportedly 'open' to joining Manchester United in January.

Ait-Nouri joined City from Wolves in the summer of 2025 but played just 17 times in the Premier League last term. In fact, his limited game time has continued with Enzo Maresca.

The Algerian, who has played just 168 minutes in all competitions for City, could leave in January, according to TEAMtalk, with City sporting director Hugo Viana keen to resolve his future.

United, meanwhile, are looking to sign a left-back following Luke Shaw's injury.