Manchester United are discussing whether to replace Cristiano Ronaldo permanently in January or hold off until the summer, by bringing in a short-term loan move just like they did with Odion Ighalo in 2020.
It is understood that Old Trafford’s chiefs are weighing up how to proceed following Ronaldo’s dramatic exit from the club on Wednesday, with Erik ten Hag in serious need of extra reinforcements in attack.
During talks on Tuesday, the club’s board stressed that it does not like doing business in January, but Sportsmail understands that the directors are now open to bringing summer plans forward in this instance.
The Red Devils sacked Ronaldo four days after the entirety of his two-part bombshell interview with Piers Morgan was aired last Friday.
The Portuguese superstar, 37, heavily criticised Manchester United and admitted he had no respect for Ten Hag, after ending up on the bench for much of this season.
Ronaldo also laid into former team-mates Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville during the interview, who previously criticised him for not giving his all to Manchester United.
With Anthony Martial currently injured, Ronaldo’s exit leaves the Red Devils with a dearth of strikers ahead of the Premier League’s return in December.
Manchester United, who were initially planning to lure a new star striker this summer, are now considering whether make the move in January, gaining a significant boost in the treasury with Ronaldo’s £500,000-a-week wage written off.
Holland and PSV star Cody Gakpo, who scored the crucial go-ahead goal during his nation’s opening match against Senegal on Monday, remains a key target after United flirted with a move for the Dutchman last summer.
Gakpo, who is capable as both a striker and an inside forward, has 13 goals and 17 assist in all competitions for PSV so far this campaign.
However, the Red Devils are also prepared to lure a striker on a short-term loan move and bide their time ahead of this summer, in an effort to ensure the best available forward is recruited.
Manchester United deployed a similar strategy when they signed Nigeria international Ighalo in January 2020, who initially joined on a short-term deal for six months before it was extended until January 2021.