Ornstein bombshell: Man Utd now ‘exploring’ January loan for one of the ‘best versatile attacker available’

Manchester United’s transfer chiefs may be more active than fans initially expected this January if David Ornstein’s latest update is anything to go by.

On Monday evening, the ever-reliable transfer expert revealed that the Red Devils were among a host of clubs ‘exploring’ a loan deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani. United, Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus are all considered the ‘top contenders’ in the race as things stand.

The 27-capped France international has been deemed one of the ‘best versatile attackers available’, given how little he’s featured for PSG this campaign; he has started only twice in Ligue 1 and is yet to start in the Champions League. Muani was omitted from Luis Enrique’s squad for fixtures in the Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions – and has been for the last two league outings.

Alas, it’s evident that the French giants are paving the way for his departure.

Why United have added their names into the mix of Muani’s suitors 

United’s interest comes at a time when their forward department is lacking firepower and clinicality in front of goal. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are both enduring stagnant form, with the latter believed to be in talks over a potential move to Juventus just six months after his transfer from Bologna.

The pair, who cost a combined £100.5 million, have returned only five Premier League goals in a combined 35 appearances between them, and it’s safe to say that’s nowhere near the level required of them to lead United’s frontline.

Muani’s form has faltered since he swapped Eintracht Frankfurt for PSG and became something of an afterthought, but one look at his last full season in Germany makes it clear why he’s still such a highly-rated No.9; he notched 23 goals and 17 assists in 46 appearances throughout 2022/2023, with 29 of those contributions coming in the Bundesliga alone.