Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is prepared to wait until next summer to bolster his attack, with Jadon Sancho remaining Manchester United’s leading target.
The Norwegian was happy to sanction moves for Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, despite being left desperately short of options up front in his first full season in charge.
But he has no immediate plans to sign an emergency replacement, such as free agent Fernando Llorente, and accepts it will be difficult to secure top class targets during the January window.
Sanchez is set to complete a season-long loan move to Inter after terms were agreed between the clubs on Tuesday night.
He will join Lukaku at the San Siro, following the Belgium international’s £73million move to the Italian giants earlier this month.
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Solskjaer was adamant at least one of those strikers would need to be replaced this summer – but was ultimately happy to let them go even without bringing in alternatives.
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That has left him with just Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial as senior strikers, with only 17-year-old Mason Greenwood as back-up.
Greenwood may be called into action this weekend against Southampton after Martial sustained a muscle injury in last week’s defeat to Crystal Palace.
It is a major gamble from Solskjaer, who has been charged with the responsibility of restoring United to their former glories.
But he has been convinced by the club’s hierarchy that he will be given more windows to complete his ambitious overhaul of the squad he inherited, which will include a renewed interest in Sancho at the end of the season.
Solskjaer was eager to sign the England international this summer – only for Borussia Dortmund to make it clear he was not for sale.
He has since signed a new contract with the German club, but that has not put United off.
Solskjaer’s scouts looked closely at Nicolas Pepe this summer and talks were opened with Juventus over a move for Paulo Dybala, before United pulled out of a deal for the Argentina international over concerns about his motivation to join the club.
The English transfer window closed with Solskjaer failing to strengthen in midfield or attack, despite the departures of Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera and Lukaku, with Sanchez now set to follow.
But the Man Utd manager is confident he will be given time to reshape his squad.
Moves for striking and midfield reinforcements in January have not been ruled out, but major business is expected to be left until next summer.