Depay and Gakpo were of interest to United to various extents in the summer

In order to compensate for the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United are considering making a forward acquisition during the transfer window in January.

According to sources close to the situation, the Manchester Evening News has learned that United are in the position to "push the button" and reveal a list of potential options in the mid-season transfer market.

United intends to augment the capabilities of director of data science Dominic Jordan with the addition of four additional data scientists, but the company believes it will still be in a position to identify immediately attainable goals in January.

United considered making moves for Memphis Depay, who had been released by Barcelona, and Cody Gakpo, an attacking player for PSV Eindhoven, during the summer while they were engaged in protracted negotiations to sign their top attacking target, Antony.

The 23-year-old Gakpo scored the game-winning goal in the Netherlands' opening World Cup victory over Senegal. He is currently under contract to play for PSV until 2026, making him a more expensive option than Depay, who is not wanted by Barcelona.

United made an offer to acquire striker Marko Arnautovic from Bologna in August, but they withdrew it after receiving a vehement backlash from supporters on the grounds of sporting and integrity integrity. Before making their respective moves to Ajax and RB Leipzig, the development of young strikers Brian Brobbey and Benjamin Sesko was followed closely.

During the preseason, United manager Erik ten Hag voiced his concerns about his team's attack, and currently, United is ranked fifth in the Premier League table with a goal difference of zero.

Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are the only players who have scored at least four times so far this season. This is despite the fact that Ronaldo, who is 37 years old, has become an unreliable frontman. Rashford currently leads United in scoring with eight goals, while Anthony Martial sits on four goals despite missing more than a third of the season due to three separate injuries.

Although Antony scored in each of his first three Premier League appearances, Jadon Sancho has not found the back of the net in over two months, and his last Premier League appearance was on October 9. Alejandro Garnacho, who is only 18 years old, has emerged as a credible option after scoring game-winning goals on the road against Real Sociedad and Fulham, whereas Anthony Elanga has not scored for his club since February.

Antony was sidelined for United's last five matches due to an injury, and Sancho has not participated in a match since the 22nd of October due to illness. Martial has not played for United in 14 of the team's 21 matches this season.

Even after more than two years and €10 million have passed since his arrival at United, Facundo Pellistri has not yet made his debut for the club. Pellistri has been an unused substitute in each of United's last 12 games. United have the option to recall Amad Diallo in January, and he has scored three goals in his last five games for Sunderland while he is on loan to the club. Sunderland plays in the Championship.

In an explosive interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo torched his relationship with Manchester United by stating that he had "no respect" for Ten Hag, accusing the club of betraying him over his absence from the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, and shaming the Glazer family as the club's owners. Ronaldo also said that he had "no respect" for Ten Hag.

Tuesday night, United announced that Ronaldo had parted ways with the club "by mutual agreement." This season in the Premier League, Manchester United won one, lost two, and tied one of the four matches in which Ronaldo started for the team.