Five strikers Man Utd could still sign on loan amid Anthony Martial injury news

Manchester United have one week to conclude any transfer business and were dealt a curveball on Wednesday, following confirmation that Anthony Martial had undergone surgery. Martial's agent had already hinted he would go under the knife and in a statement the club said they expect the French international to be out for around 10 weeks.

United were thought to be open to a short-term addition upfront this month but the long-term absence of Martial has brought that priority to the fore. Rasmus Hojlund is now the only No.9 available to Erik ten Hag, who has often admitted it would be too much pressure to rely solely on the 20-year-old.

If United are to bring someone in then they face a race against time and so returning to previous points of interest could save them crucial hours. Below, ManchesterWorld has taken a look at five potential options.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

Links to the Cameroon international surfaced early on in January and have not gone away throughout the month. United have explored the possibility of bringing Choupo-Moting to Old Trafford, banking on his experience in the Premier League and Europe as a safe bet.

Most recent reports have suggested that Bayern Munich have no intention of losing their striker due to their thin squad and the amount of football on the horizon. But neither side have completely ruled out a move and Martial's injury could be the catalyst to push on with talks.

Karim Benzema

Former France international Benzema only joined Al Ittihad in the summer but is already thought to be keen on leaving the Saudi Pro League. Despite being 36, he remains clinical and proved as much by winning the Ballon d'Or in 2022.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has previously disapproved of moves for ageing stars, namely Raphael Varane and Casemiro, but a move for Benzema would only be temporary and in the midst of an emergency in that position. Boyhood club Lyon are also keen on a sensational return.

Brian Brobbey

Ten Hag has often turned to known quantities at times of need and the Dutchman could pluck another promising talent from Ajax in Brobbey. The striker has 15 goals this season and is expected to make the step up soon.

The issue with Brobbey would be that he is very much of the same profile as Hojlund: young, raw and in need of time to develop. Signing the Dutch youngster would represent bringing a long-term plan forward, rather than issuing a short-term fix until summer.

Joshua Zirkzee

Another Dutchman but not one of Ten Hag's former Ajax talents, Zirkzee broke through at Bayern Munich before joining Italian outfit Bologna in 2022. Reports of interest in Brobbey also named the 22-year-old and United are thought to be at the front of the queue for his signature.

There have even been suggestions that talks have already begun, although whether that is for a move this month or in the summer remains unclear. Zirkzee is contracted to Bologna until 2026 but there is talk of a £34m release clause.

Serhou Guirassy

Following an excellent run of form at Stuttgart with 17 goals in 14 Bundesliga games - second only to Harry Kane - Guirassy came onto the radar of several clubs including United. The Guinean international had a release clause of just £15m in his contract and was at the centre of early January transfer speculation.

But things went quiet and that release clause expired after the first two weeks of the window, with the likelihood now being that he stays in Stuttgart. Any move this late would have to be permanent and would likely mean United overpaying heavily.