Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has refused to rule out the possibility of loan signings in the January transfer window after being forced to name a bench full of youngsters for the FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic on Monday.
Antony was ruled out of the 2-0 win at the DW Stadium due to injury, while Christian Eriksen became the latest United player to miss a game through illness, adding to an already long list of absences.
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This meant Ten Hag was forced to name a young bench with 22-year-old Facundo Pellistri as the oldest outfield player on the bench.
When asked later if it was possible to sign a loan deal in January, the Dutchman said it was something the club were considering.
“We considered everything,” Ten Hag said. “What is the best interest of the players and also the best interest for us, the team, for Manchester United, so we will see how we progress during the window.”
United face Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday and Ten Hag is hopeful his team will be boosted by the return of at least some of his injured players.
Lisandro Martínez and Casemiro are still several weeks away from returning, but Luke Shaw could appear after missing the last two games.
“I think there will be some players [back]”Ten Hag said. “I think I’m hopeful that they can come back over the weekend. I’m talking about Christian Eriksen, potentially Luke Shaw. Harry [Maguire] maybe. Mason [Mount] “It needs a few more days.”
Sources told ESPN that United still expect Jadon Sancho to join Borussia Dortmund on loan in the window despite the deal being hit by delays over the weekend.
There has also been loan interest in Hannibal, Pellistri and Amad but, according to a source, Ten Hag is unlikely to approve the departure of all three players in January, having allowed Donny van de Beek to join Eintracht Frankfurt until the end of the season. .
