Manchester United‘s attacking options are thin after Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic both sustained injuries.
United’s top scorer Lukaku had played every minute in the Premier League before suffering a head injury in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Southampton, while Ibrahimovic, just back from a lengthy lay-off, has suffered a recurrence of his knee problem.
With Lukaku due to miss at least two games, and Ibrahimovic out for a month, Press Association Sport assesses who Jose Mourinho could now select up top.
MARCUS RASHFORD
It was 20-year-old Rashford who Mourinho called for when Lukaku was forced off against Saints, and the England international seems the most likely candidate to be the focal point.
He has played there before but has often been preferred in a wider berth under Mourinho as the Portuguese likes his central striker to carry a physical presence.
With Mourinho admitting that Lukaku had been in need of a rest, this is Rashford’s chance to show his boss he can be a worthy replacement as a central striker.
ANTHONY MARTIAL
Another wide forward that may be temporarily moved inside to cover the striker shortage.
Martial has been used almost exclusively on the left under both Louis van Gaal and Mourinho, even though he stressed he saw himself as a striker shortly after arriving at Old Trafford.
Like Rashford, he lacks the size and stature that Mourinho covets in his centre-forward.
As with Rashford, this could be Martial’s opportunity to further his claim to feature in a role he has said he prefers.
MAROUANE FELLAINI
Mourinho is unlikely to call upon the Belgian at his old club Everton on New Year’s Day given he has been ruled out of the festive period through injury.
However, he could be an option beyond that, particularly if Lukaku misses the games with Stoke and Burnley too.
Fellaini has played as a support striker at Everton and has on occasion been thrown further forward as a Plan B for United in the latter stages of games.
He certainly carries a threat in the air yet lacks the movement that Rashford and Martial have.
A JANUARY BUY
Only this week Mourinho admitted he did not think United would buy anyone in the January transfer window.
However, that view may have changed following a four-game winless run and the injuries to his two leading forwards.
Ibrahimovic’s problem in particular is a real concern.
At 36 there are doubts about whether he can ever return to the level he was at last term and that could sway Mourinho into thinking he needs another alternative to Lukaku.
