Manchester United are looking to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, with Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez both on their radar. Manager Michael Carrick's side have been hampered by a series of injuries this season and are seeking to add depth to their ranks.
Injury Problems Prompt Squad Reinforcement
Luke Shaw, Benjamin Sesko, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo have each spent time on the sidelines this season, though Mainoo returned from the bench in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea. Joshua Zirkzee was also introduced in the second half, having been making regular cameo appearances due to Sesko's ongoing shin issue.
Sesko is not expected back until January, which has fuelled United's interest in Calvert-Lewin. The England international has scored 20 goals in 50 appearances since joining Leeds last summer.
Calvert-Lewin and Lopez on United's Radar
Bryan Mbeumo has been deployed as the striker due to the injury problems, with United not short of wingers or attacking midfielders. The continued interest in Lopez is therefore notable, with United having been linked to the 23-year-old last summer.
Signing Lopez would cost in the region of £70 million, with United's finances a potential obstacle. The Daily Mail has reported that he has long-term admirers at Old Trafford, while Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested.
As for Calvert-Lewin, the report claims that the signing is viewed as difficult due to the bitter rivalry between the two clubs. United had previously shown interest in the striker during his time at Everton but opted against making a move.
United's Attacking Struggles Continue
Calvert-Lewin scored against United when the two sides met earlier this month, with all of his goals this season coming at Elland Road. Lopez, meanwhile, has managed 10 goal contributions in all competitions this season and would add a new edge to United's lacklustre attack.
United have been struggling to find the net in recent weeks, scoring just four goals in seven matches. The team looked much better with Bruno Fernandes in the side, but it was Amad who was the most threatening. He is an injury doubt for next Tuesday's Champions League clash against AS Roma after hobbling off in the defeat to Chelsea.
Carrick will hope to have Amad available for the visit of the Serie A side and will also be eager to see the positives from west London on display again. He told TNT Sport: "Didn't really get going second half. We should have been up first half really. Found a way of unravelling it second half. A bad goal to concede, a penalty and then were right up against it at that moment."
"We've got to move forward. We have to take the things that worked for us today and use that moving forward. I'm just looking forward to getting the boys ready for midweek now."
