Manchester United cannot recall Alexis Sanchez from his loan spell at Inter Milan to solve their striker crisis.
United's leading goalscorer Marcus Rashford is out for up to three months with a double stress fracture of the back.
That has left United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Anthony Martial and 18-year-old Mason Greenwood as his only options up front.
United are exploring short-term deals for strikers to fill the void left by Rashford's enforced lay-off.
But it has emerged there is no chance of recalling Sanchez from his season-long spell at Inter, because no recall clause was inserted in the agreement with the Italian club.
Although Sanchez, 31, endured a torrid time at United, scoring just five goals in 45 appearances following his much-vaunted switch from Arsenal two years ago, Solskjaer is desperate for a player to fill the void left by Rashford.
Among the players United are looking at to replace Rashford are Paris St Germain striker Edinson Cavani and Lyon forward Moussa Dembele.
PSG sporting director Leonardo confirmed on Sunday that Cavani has handed in a transfer request.
The Uruguayan is out of contract in the summer but wants a move this January.
Leonardo said: "We've always said the same thing. We were hoping he would stay with the club, but today [Sunday] he asked to leave.
"We're studying the situation. We've had a proposal from Atletico Madrid, but that proposal was not commensurate with the player's value."
