Christopher Nkunku has previously admitted that he feels like he is at his best when he is deployed as an attacking-midfielder amid fresh claims he is on Manchester United's radar.

According to a report by Sky Sports, United are 'discussing' the prospect of signing the Chelsea attacker on loan for the remainder of the season.

United are very close to sanctioning the exit of Antony, who is in Spain putting the finishing touches to a move that will see him join Real Betis on loan for the remainder of the season, and could still allow Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho to leave before the February 3 deadline.

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The landscape of United's attack has changed since Ruben Amorim's appointment as head coach in November, with the Portuguese chief changing the team's shape to a 3-4-2-1 formation, meaning there are no places available for natural wingers.

The onus is now on the wing-backs to provide the width, with two inside forwards operating as closely to the striker as possible. Bruno Fernandes and Garnacho started as the No.10s in Thursday night's 3-1 win over Rangers.

Nkunku, who has been linked with United in the past, has enjoyed a successful season with Chelsea thus far, scoring 13 goals and registering four assists in 28 appearances across all competitions. However, he has started just one of their last eight Premier League matches.

The Frenchman, who joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in July 2023, is a very versatile operator, capable of playing as a lone striker, a second striker, an attacking-midfielder or out wide. But he declared in February 2023 that he is at his most comfortable when playing in the No.10 role.

"I think that's a position [attacking-midfield] that suits me well," he said. "Close to the goal behind a striker. That describes me as a player nicely so I always like playing in this role."

United chief Amorim has regularly rotated his options in the No.10 department, though Fernandes has played almost all of his football from that position since his fellow countryman succeeded Erik ten Hag. Amad and Garnacho have often operated in the other No.10 role.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News earlier this month, United are open to recruiting a striker ahead of the bell sounding in just over a week's time, meaning they may be targeting Nkunku with the idea of playing him up front.

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled for goals this season, scoring just 11 between them. The former is currently on a run of 10 games without a goal.