Five free agents Man Utd could sign amid injury crisis including Paul Pogba and former Leeds United target

Manchester United might need to consider free agent signings as they look to overcome a serious injury crisis and rejuvenate an awful season.

Ruben Amorim was without 12 senior players due to illness and injury as United lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, a defeat that leaves them 15th in the Premier League table. United's injury issues were so bad that they named an extremely inexperienced bench for the match, which included eight players who had never made a competitive appearance for the club before.

Amorim only used one substitute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, such was the lack of viable options, and his selection could be limited again when they travel to face Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. United added two permanent signings to their squad in the winter transfer window but could still add a free agent to bolster their options. Here is a look at the five most compelling options:

Five free agents Manchester United could still sign

Paul Pogba

They say third time lucky, right? Paul Pogba can return to professional football next month after he successfully appealed a drug ban that saw his punishment cut from four years to 18 months. The 31-year-old was released by Juventus and is officially a free agent, so could sign for any club with a space in their first-team squad.

A return to Old Trafford seems highly unlikely, particularly given his age and wage demands, but with Pogba desperate to get back to action, United could offer him a short-term deal on strict terms. The Frenchman was booed by United supporters in his final appearance for the club but could earn an unlikely shot at redemption.

Diego Costa

United need goals and Diego Costa knows how to find the back of the net. The 37-year-old is a free agent since his Gremio contract expired last year and would bring a wealth of experience to the front line, albeit he is not the type of mobile striker Amorim wants.

Costa struggled during a spell with Wolves two years ago, though he would at least provide United with another option in attack given the ongoing struggles of both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. It is more likely Chido Obi will get opportunities than a veteran free agent, but if they suffer a setback to either of their strikers then he might become a more appealing option.

Cheikhou Kouyate

Another short-term solution would be veteran midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate. The 35-year-old is still without a club since he was released by Nottingham Forest last summer, but has a wealth of Premier League experience from his time with West Ham and Crystal Palace.

Kouyate was poised to join Leeds United last year, though that deal fell through, and he is still contemplating the next step in his career. With Kobbie Mainoo set for six weeks on the sidelines, Amorim has at least another option available if he feels the need to add another Premier League-proven option to his squad.

Ryan Kent

United would roll their eyes at the suggestion of signing a former Liverpool hopeful to solve their squad problems, though Ryan Kent is better known for his spell at Rangers than Anfield. The 28-year-old from Oldham is without a club since he was released by Fenerbahçe last year and could offer United a decent option due to his versatility.

Known primarily as a left winger, Kent is comfortable playing on either flank and also has experience playing as both an attacking midfielder and a second striker, which could make him a useful addition to Amorim's side until the end of the season.

Carlos Vela

Another option for United to bolster their forward line would be Carlos Vela. The 35-year-old has been without a club since he left Los Angeles FC last year and would bring a wealth of experience to the attack, albeit as a veteran.

The former Arsenal and West Brom striker is another player who is not the ideal fit for Amorim's style of play, but with Amad Diallo expected to be out for the remainder of the season, he would at least give United an extra option in attack.

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