Manchester United are not expecting to make any further signings despite head coach Ruben Amorim saying the club was “trying everything” before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Sunday’s 2-0 home loss to Crystal Palace left the Red Devils languishing 13th in the Premier League standings and only underlined the issues at hand.
Kobbie Mainoo was deployed as a false nine with goal-shy Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee on the bench as United explored potential deals for Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku and Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel.
Head coach Amorim said after the defeat to Palace: “We are trying everything to improve the team without doing mistakes of the past, and trying to balance the urgency of the moment.
“So, we know all of the aspects of our club in the moment, but we are trying everything.”
However, United have indicated to the PA news agency that they are not expecting to bring anyone else in before Monday’s deadline.
The club points to tight financial constraints and a disciplined approach that they hope will give them greater options to make summer signings.
But that means there will be no attacking reinforcements after Antony and Marcus Rashford were allowed to make loan moves to Real Betis and Aston Villa respectively.
Left-back Tyrell Malacia looks set to become the third first-team player to leave on loan as a deal to PSV progresses after United completed two defensive signings over the weekend.
Ayden Heaven, 18, joins Amorim’s first team from Arsenal, where the centre-back made his debut earlier this season.
Denmark left-back Patrick Dorgu, 20, could quickly become a key play for United, having arrived from Lecce for an initial 30million euros (£25.1m) plus a potential five million euros (£4.2m) in add-ons.
A deal has also been agreed to bring in Paraguayan defender Diego Leon, 17, from Cerro Porteno this summer.
Meanwhile, United centre-back Lisandro Martinez reportedly suffered a season-ending knee injury in the defeat to Palace.
The Argentina international was in tears as he left on a stretcher and reports in his homeland say he will be out for up to eight months with a torn ACL in his left knee.
