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Relief has been hard to come by for Manchester United this season.
Results on the pitch have been catastrophic, players have openly criticized club personnel and, to make things considerably worse, injuries have added more chaos to an already turbulent situation. When it rains, it pours—as anyone familiar with Manchester's weather will readily attest.
The latest blow amid the ongoing turmoil comes from the medical department, as Benjamin Šeško's recovery from a persistent shin injury has reportedly been pushed back to January. That leaves the struggling Joshua Zirkzee as the only recognized striker at the Red Devils' disposal, which is an alarmingly grim outlook.
Šeško's 12-goal debut campaign offered hope that United had finally secured their long-term No. 9 after frustrating experiences with Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund. Despite his concerning injury history, the Slovenian marksman remains central to the club's vision of a more promising future.
But no one can dispute United's need for additional firepower. The club, as they should have done in the summer, will need to bring in a backup to Šeško when the transfer window reopens in January, ideally securing a short-term fix that strengthens their squad without hindering the development of their injured 23-year-old.
Here are five strikers they could target in the winter window.
Jean-Philippe Mateta
Premier League-tested and out of contract next summer, Jean-Philippe Mateta could be the ideal solution to United's striker problem.
It's no secret that the 29-year-old has long harbored ambitions of leaving Crystal Palace, even coming close to joining AC Milan last winter before complications with his medical derailed the deal. He's reluctantly continued to turn out for the Eagles, finishing last season with 16 goals across all competitions despite his restlessness—the third straight campaign in which he's reached double figures.
Mateta will not be putting pen to paper on a new deal at Selhurst Park, meaning the upcoming January window represents Palace's final opportunity to recoup a fee for him. Given his proposed move to Milan was valued at around $36 million, United could reasonably expect to acquire him for even less this winter.
Old Trafford would undoubtedly be an enticing destination for Mateta, despite the Red Devils' current struggles. The opportunity to join one of the world's most storied clubs—one still competing in Champions League football—doesn't come around often.
The imposing center forward would hold similar appeal for United. Clinical, physically dominant, cost-effective and well-versed in the demands of English football, Mateta would offer strong competition for Šeško both now and in the seasons ahead.
Endrick
If United are seeking an extremely short-term solution, then Endrick would be worth considering seriously.
Real Madrid blocked a potential loan move for their young Brazilian in the summer, but it has been a familiar story for him under the José Mourinho era. The continued excellence of Kylian Mbappé and the arrival of summer signing Carlos Espí has confined him to a peripheral role, yielding just four appearances.
A significant upturn in playing time looks unlikely in the second half of the season, potentially pushing Endrick toward another temporary spell elsewhere. He spent half of the 2025–26 campaign on loan at Lyon in France, where he delivered an impressive eight goals and as many assists across 21 matches.
The raw ability is undeniable, and United could take a relatively low-risk chance on the 20-year-old as a result.
Whether Madrid will actually approve his departure, on a temporary or permanent basis, remains uncertain, as does his suitability as a lone striker in the Premier League. But Endrick satisfies a number of United's criteria regardless.
Alexander Sørloth
Erling Haaland lite, anyone?
Alexander Sørloth shares many qualities with his Norwegian counterpart. The 30-year-old boasts an imposing physique, outstanding aerial prowess and a lethal edge in the box—attributes he has consistently demonstrated during his time in Spain with Real Sociedad, Villarreal and now Atlético Madrid.
He has registered 20+ goals in each of his last three seasons and ranked among La Liga's top four scorers in two of those campaigns, despite frequently being used as a rotation option since joining Atlético.
It's easy to overlook the fact that Sørloth has actually featured in the Premier League before, though his stint at Crystal Palace is best left unmentioned. He managed just one goal in 20 appearances during the late 2010s.
Sørloth had been expected to depart the Metropolitano in the summer but ultimately remained. Perhaps United can challenge current frontrunners Juventus for his signature in a deal unlikely to exceed $35 million based on current valuations.
Ivan Toney
Many had lost track of Ivan Toney until his inclusion in England's 2026 World Cup squad. Thomas Tuchel passed over the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke to select the 30-year-old, who has been in outstanding form with Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
While there is justifiable skepticism about the level of the Saudi Pro League, Toney's haul of 41 goals in 48 appearances during the 2025–26 season is impossible to dismiss. The former Brentford forward had also netted 30 in the previous campaign.
Toney may be reluctant to swap the financial rewards of the Middle East for the comparatively modest wages of Old Trafford, but a homecoming to England and the chance to reestablish himself as one of the Premier League's sharpest finishers could prove tempting.
Given his age and profile, Toney would pose no threat to Šeško's long-term development, instead serving as a valuable alternative and rotation option. He would also be an excellent mentor for the former RB Leipzig man, who still has areas of his game that need refining.
Deniz Undav
Continuing the theme of prolific 30-year-old strikers with prior experience in England, attention turns to Stuttgart forward Deniz Undav.
The Germany international, who impressed at the World Cup in an impact substitute capacity, never truly established himself at Brighton & Hove Albion, who made an uncharacteristic error by selling him to the Bundesliga on a permanent basis. He has since netted 40 times in 96 appearances for VfB, highlighted by a standout 2025–26 campaign in which he contributed 25 goals and 14 assists.
Undav is a natural finisher, as his statistics demonstrate, but he also excels beyond the penalty area. An adept creator and intelligent runner off the ball, he is a player consistently underestimated by opposing defenders.
"Ideally, I would like to finish my career here—I can already say that much. I'd like to say that I'll stay here from now on. I want to become a legend," Undav declared after signing a contract extension with Stuttgart until 2029 last summer.
That is far from ideal for interested clubs, but an institution with United's stature and history could well put Undav's loyalty to the test. They could do considerably worse than pursuing the versatile forward, who could potentially represent an astute acquisition at a relatively modest price.