Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has once again affirmed his side's need for a new striker in January after the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 37-year-old had his contract terminated after criticising various elements of the club during an interview with Piers Morgan, and he has since joined Saudi Arabian giants Al-Nassr.
With Ronaldo no longer on the books, Ten Hag has been left with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial as his only two senior options in the number nine spot.
Martial has managed to banish his fitness woes to score five goals and set up two more in 12 games this season, while Rashford has 13 goals and six assists to his name from 24 outings.
However, Rashford has predominantly been used out wide in recent matches due to Jadon Sancho's absence, and Ten Hag has insisted that the pressure needs to be lifted off of Martial's shoulders.
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"There is a reason [Anthony Martial has been substituted in his last seven games]. It is because he cannot manage the load. This is why we are looking for another striker," Ten Hag told Sky Sports News.
"It is not about us not relying on him. His physical load is not, at this moment, so high that he can play every third day a game of 90 minutes. So I have to manage that together with him.
"We are on a thin line at the moment because the qualities of Anthony Martial are so important right now to our game. His movements, his ball security, the pressing, let's not forget that. We need that profile to be a threat,"
However, Ten Hag is satisfied that he has plenty of goal threat within his ranks besides Martial and Rashford, adding: "Also, Marcus Rashford benefits from that. So I am not concerned that only Marcus is scoring goals, because I am convinced the other players [can score too].
"Not only Anthony Martial, but Antony scored [in the 3-1 FA Cup win against Everton]. Bruno Fernandes is also very capable of scoring, Christian Eriksen will create and is also capable of scoring goals. So we have more players who can score goals."
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Man United are thought to only be considering loan moves in the January transfer window due to their desire to spend big in the summer, and a wealth of names are said to be on their radar.
The Red Devils are alleged to have spoken to Burnley over a short-term move for Wout Weghorst, who is currently on loan at Besiktas from the Championship side.
Meanwhile, Al-Nassr striker Vincent Aboubakar, who could be allowed to leave the club following the arrival of Ronaldo, is claimed to have already agreed a loan to Old Trafford.
Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix is also on the Red Devils' and Arsenal's shortlist, but neither Premier League side is bowing to the Rojiblancos' demands of an £18m package for a six-month deal.
Man United overcame Everton 3-1 in Friday's FA Cup third-round battle and now prepare to face League One outfit Charlton Athletic on Tuesday for a place in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup.
