This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has indicated that Manchester United could look to the loan market during the January transfer window, as reported on the club’s official website.
What’s the story?
After Oli McBurnie’s late equaliser for Sheffield United, Manchester United are currently occupying ninth place in the Premier League table.
There were frailties shown during the game, and things could have looked far worse for Solskjaer if it wasn’t for the flurry of three goals in a seven-minute spell.
With Solskjaer hoping to climb the table, it is understandable that he is looking towards the January transfer window to help his ascent.
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Speaking before that match, the United manager spoke of his intention to use the loan market: “It’s not about X amount of money. [Buying players] is about who we think is going to be good for the club in the long term, not just for three or four months.
“[Are those people available?] Probably not, because that’s the thing in January – not many clubs will sell players they want to keep in January.
“Maybe one or two could be a loan deal, but that’s not a money thing, that’s to help the team. But we’re getting players back. We’re looking at what can be available for us.”
Replicating past success
While it could be more beneficial to have somebody sign on a long-term basis, Man United have previously shown that loan moves for a player halfway through the season can be effective.
A notable example of this is when Henrik Larsson was signed on loan from Swedish outfit Helsingborgs in January 2007.
It was a short spell, as he had promised to return back to Sweden, but the former Celtic striker managed 13 appearances and scored three goals, becoming a popular figure.
These goals include the winner in a Champions League tie against Lille and an important goal in the FA Cup to help secure victory over Aston Villa.
When dipping into the loan market this summer, Solskjaer will be hoping to find someone who can be as influential as the Swede was during his short stay at Old Trafford.