MANCHESTER UNITED'S need for January reinforcements was brutally exposed by Liverpool.
The Reds ran out 2-0 winners at Anfield and, if anything, the margin of victory should have been even greater.
To make matters worse, the full extent of Marcus Rashford's injury has been revealed… and it doesn't make good reading for United fans.
Meanwhile, talk of a possible Bruno Fernandes arrival rumbles on with the deal under threat.
Get the latest transfer news and gossip from Old Trafford here…
OH NO OLE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to dip into the loan market to replace the injured Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial.
Following the Red Devils' 2-0 loss at Liverpool, he said: “It's just an unfortunate situation.
“We've had many injuries to big players. Marcus, Anthony (Martial), Paul (Pogba), Scott (McTominay).
“It might be we might look at some short-term deals and that could take us through until the summer.
“We're looking at numbers and if the right one's there we could buy… if there's a loan, it's an option.”NOT SO KEANE
Roy Keane described Anthony Martial as 'not quite good enough' for Manchester United in the aftermath of their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Martial missed a sitter as United were beaten at Anfield on Sunday.
Keane told Sky Sports: “That sums up his career in a nutshell. You hit that target. That’s why he’s not quite good enough for United. That moment summed him up.”
MART OF WAR
Lautaro Martinez admits he’s flattered at being linked with Man Utd and Man City.
The Inter Milan ace told TycSports: “Today I’m an Inter player and I’m happy here.
“The fact that they speak well of me means I’m doing something right and the intention is to continue on this path.
“I’m calm, happy and at ease with Inter.”
RED REINFORCEMENTS
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Man Utd could be forced into some emergency January signings after Marcus Rashford joined the likes of Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay on the sidelines.
Rashford is out for at least six weeks with a fractured spine.
Speaking after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, Solskjaer said: “Anthony Martial has been out, Paul, Scott, it’s an unfortunate situation.
“We might look at some short term deals. Desperate for a striker? Not desperate.
“But if the right one is there and it fits for us… I have players here who are chomping at the bit.”
GET YOUR GOSS
Here is all the latest Man Utd news and transfer gossip…
Manchester United want to sign Marcos Llorente as well as Bruno Fernandes to ease their midfield injury crisis, according to reports.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is closing in on a £60million deal to bring long-term target Fernandes in from Sporting Lisbon.
And the Manchester Evening News adds that a loan deal for out of favour Atletico Madrid ace Llorente is also on the cards.
United are without Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay through injury and midfield has been an area of concern this season.
Solskjaer has suggested that he will turn to the loan market to negotiate the notoriously difficult January window and target stars not playing regular football at top clubs.
The United boss has also confirmed Marcus Rashford will be out for weeks.
Solskjaer said: “He got a couple of knocks again – jolts when he came on against Wolverhampton.
“It's aggravated his back, he's had some trouble before and we're gonna give him time to recover and rest before we put him back on the pitch.
“He's always recovered quickly before, so let's hope he does that again.
“I wouldn't expect him to be back in the next few weeks.
“We've got an international mid-season break [at the end of March] and I'm not sure we're going to see him before then.”
Man Utd are closing in on appointing a new director of football – with Jose Mourinho target Luis Campos the top choice.
United chief Ed Woodward has spent 18 months hunting for the right man.
And SunSport's Duncan Wright understands Portuguese transfer guru Campos, 55, could get the job.
Woodward felt that Campos’ appointment would give Mourinho too much power 18 months ago.
But now he favours Campos due to his amazing record at Monaco and present club Lille.
Campos discovered the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Fabinho, Bernardo Silva and Anthony Martial for Monaco.
He also took £72million Arsenal recruit Nicolas Pepe to Lille.
Woodward is desperate for United to shift their approach from splashing out huge sums on ready-made stars to developing young talent.
Finally Manchester United are set to go up to £15million for Birmingham star Jude Bellingham — to fend off a late move by Chelsea.
The Old Trafford giants are prepared to slap in the up-front sum for the 16-year-old midfielder because they know of Frank Lampard’s interest, SunSport's Alan Nixon can reveal.
Birmingham may have to accept the offer but they hope United will loan him back for the season.
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