Man Utd 'eye' cut-price move for Champions League striker with 39 international goals

Manchester United are reportedly targeting a cut-price move for a Champions League striker as they look to 'ease the burden' on summer signing Rasmus Hojlund.

With Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford both struggling to find form, Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag is relying on the former Atalanta striker to hit form in front of goal as he looks to lead United to success on several fronts.

After moving to Old Trafford in a reported £72m move in August, Denmark international Hojlund grabbed his first goal for the club in a 4-3 defeat in a Champions League group stage meeting with Bayern Munich just over a month later.

European football's premier club competition has been to Hojlund's liking after the 20-year-old struck five goals in his first four appearances in this season's Champions League - but his wait for a Premier League goal goes on after he failed to find the net in his first eight league appearances, although he did see a goal ruled out in the defeat to Brighton earlier this season.

United are believed to be keen to add to their forward ranks during the January transfer window and one report in Italy has suggested Porto and Iran striker Mehdi Taremi is one option being considered by the Old Trafford hierarchy.

The 31-year-old has three goals and three assists in 15 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese giants but could be available for around £8.8m in the new year as he approaches the final six months of his current deal.

InterLive have claimed United are ready to offer the experienced frontman a three-year deal worth around £4m-a-year in order to persuade Taremi to reject a rival offer from Serie A giants Inter and test his ability in the Premier League.

Porto are reportedly ready to accept an offer for the striker during the January transfer window, rather than lose him on a free transfer when his contract comes to an end in June.