Manchester United recently secured a hard-fought win over AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League, ending their 9-game winless streak across all competitions this season.
In the Premier League, the Red Devils are just above the relegation zone, with only 1 win in 9 matches, and have stumbled to shocking defeats against Hull City and Bournemouth.
The attack has not been able to produce the number to bail them out in tough games, having scored only 10 goals in 9 Premier League matches, while their defence has also been struggling, conceding 15 goals.
During the summer transfer window, Manchester United invested heavily to strengthen their engine room, and signed Carlos Baleba from Brighton, Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, and Andrey Santos from Chelsea.
However, they have not strengthened their attack, and with an injury to Benjamin Sesko, they have been stretched thin in the striker position, with Matheus Cunha and Joshua Zirkzee currently the only available options.
Manager Michael Carrick is now feeling the heat to turn things around at the Theatre of Dreams quickly, and in some quarters it was believed that the club are looking to replace him with a new manager in January.
The winter transfer window will present Manchester United with the opportunity to bring in quality reinforcements and strengthen the squad, and climb up the Premier League ladder to possibly secure a European spot next season.
According to Football Insider, Manchester United are plotting to sign Al Ahli hitman Ivan Toney on a loan deal in the upcoming winter transfer window rather than a permanent deal.
🚨 JUST IN: Manchester United are OPEN to bolstering their defence and attack in the winter transfer window. #MUFC [@samuelluckhurst] https://t.co/07EM4GADYp
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) November 6, 2026
Ivan Toney arrived at Al Ahli from Brentford in 2024, and he is on a very lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia which runs until 2028, and that could make it difficult for the Red Devils to sign him on a permanent transfer.
This term, the 30-year-old is having a brilliant campaign in the Saudi Pro League, having scored 13 goals and chipping in with 2 assists in 9 league matches, and recently he was also included in the England national team squad for the FIFA World Cup.
Besides that, during his time at Brentford, he scored 36 goals and provided 11 assists in 85 Premier League matches, while also being an exceptional spot-kick taker.
At Manchester United, boss Michael Carrick prefers to play a system which requires the striker to fall back and link up with the midfield to open spaces in their defence, while also being an active presser during the transition.
Ivan Toney has decent footwork and work rate; he is considered to be a traditional target man who is capable of linking up and playmaking, which could see him excel in Carrick’s system.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United will be able to agree a loan deal for Ivan Toney with Al Ahli, who are under no pressure to let him leave in January.
Manchester United will now be focused on carrying on the momentum from their win against AS Roma, as they lock horns with Aston Villa next in the Premier League.
