Manchester United legend Paul Ince insists the club cannot rely on Anthony Martial to score goals in the absence of Marcus Rashford, urging the Red Devils to sign Edinson Cavani or Danny Ings this month.
Rashford is expected to be out for the next three months with a double stress fracture in his back, joining Paul Pogba on the sidelines and leaving the Red Devils seriously lacking creativity.
And Ince insists the club have no choice but to act fast and bring in a proven goalscorer this month.
Martial missed a golden opportunity to equalise during the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool
“The fact is, a new signing in January has now become a must. Its not that they need to they absolutely have to,” Ince told Paddy Power.
“Because, if they dont sign someone, whos going to get you goals? We saw the sitter that Anthony Martial missed against Liverpool.
“Its simply not good enough. He should be burying that, if that had fell to Rashford Im confident that wouldve been a goal. With Rashford out, you cant trust that Martial will make up those goals.”
United have been linked with various short-term solutions, including PSG striker Cavani.
The Uruguay international handed in a transfer request to PSG earlier this month and has also been linked with Chelsea as he seeks a move away from Paris.
Cavani has scored for than 300 goals for Napoli and PSG
According to the MEN, United can sign Cavani but only on a permanent deal, as PSG do not want to send him out on loan with the striker’s contract expiring in six months.
He will cost around £25m, which is a huge sum for a player in his thirties who will become a free agent at the end of the season.
But Ince insists the Red Devils should go for it nonetheless, also touting Southampton’s Ings as a good option.
He added: “For me, Edinson Cavani is the ideal choice, if he even wants to come to England. If United can get hold of him, then they should go for it.
Ings is in red-hot form for Southampton this season
“Hes going to be big money and hes the wrong side of 30 which is a bit worrying, but Im not sure United are in the place to be picky at the moment.
“Ole has to decide whether he sticks with what hes got, or brings someone in. For me its too much of a gamble to stick with the current lot. Fernando Llorente is a decent option, though Cavani would be my first choice.
“Someone like Danny Ings would also be a great shout, hes scoring goals for fun at the moment.
“Obviously, Southampton fans wont want to hear that, but if you want someone whos in form and scoring goals, Ings could be a good, proven choice.”