Exciting closing, Manchester United could end the transfer market

With the clock ticking, Manchester United's clash with Wolves at Molineux this evening could be a welcome distraction from the closing stages of the transfer window. As clubs up and down the country run around in a frenzy trying to get those last-minute deals tied up, Carrington is expected to be a sea of calm this evening. United's main focus in the closing stages of the mid-season window will be scooping their first Premier League win of the season.

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United's clash with Wolves in the Black Country will kick off with a little under three hours to go until the window slams shut at 11pm. Manager Erik ten Hag will be fully focused on that and nothing else. As things stand, United are not expected to draft anyone in before the bell sounds, meaning Ten Hag will have to make do with what's he got between now and the end of the season. The forthcoming summer window, regardless of what happens between now and then, is set to mark the juncture where a new chapter will open.

For most United fans, signing a striker has felt like a necessity over the past month. United have struggled for goals so far this season and Rasmus Hojlund, who arrived from Atalanta for an initial £64million in the summer, has only found the back of the net eight times thus far. Many felt he would have benefited from some additional support and competition. Some United fans suggested the club, if the right player came along, should have gone down the route of trying to draft someone in on loan, similarly to the way they recruited Odion Ighalo in 2020 and Wout Weghorst last year. However, Ten Hag ruled out the likelihood of strengthening his attack last week.

"I looked but there is no space," he said. "There is no space for FFP [Financial Fair Play] to do something about this lack of quantity in the striker position." United's lack of depth at the top end of the pitch is a concern, certainly when the goals have been far from flowing. However, on the plus side, January was kind to United, in the sense they recovered a collection of key players from injury. Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Casemiro all returned last month, with Martinez, Shaw and Casemiro all starting Sunday's FA Cup win over Newport County. The trio were vitally important figures last season and they have been missed, not least Martinez.

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Team changes

Elsewhere in midfield, Mason Mount is closing in on a return after an injury of his own. His United career is yet to ignite, meaning he could be like a new signing once he gets back on his feet and, all being well, finds some form. There is no doubt that United could have done with strengthening their forward line before tonight's deadline, but it is not all doom and gloom. Ten Hag has pinned everything on United's season improving once the injury list has eased, meaning now is the time for his players to repay him.