Mathys Tel has already suggested he is not an out-and-out striker amid Manchester United's search for a goalscorer.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News on Sunday, United are considering a swoop for the 19-year-old ahead of tonight's 11pm deadline.

The Reds are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements after allowing Ethan Wheatley, Marcus Rashford and Antony to leave on loan in this window.

READ MORE: 'No respect whatsoever' - Rio Ferdinand delivers scathing Man United assessment after Palace defeat

READ MORE: Real Betis manager makes Antony admission after Manchester United winger makes debut

Neither Rasmus Hojlund nor Joshua Zirkzee started Sunday's defeat to Crystal Palace, highlighting United's need for a new No.9. Hojlund is without a goal in his last 13 games and Zirkzee has scored just one goal in his last 16 appearances.

Tel has been linked with a handful of Premier League clubs over the last few days and reportedly turned down a switch to Tottenham Hotspur on Friday after they had agreed a fee with Bayern to sign him on a permanent deal. It is understood United want him on loan.

However, Tel does not offer United the guarantee of goals. He has made 14 appearances for Bayern this season and has not scored a single goal. In his defence, the bulk of his appearances have been via the bench.

Nevertheless, the 19-year-old hinted in November 2023 that he is not necessarily a natural No.9, instead drifting between the left-wing and centre-forward position.

He said: "I'm somewhere between a number nine and a left-winger. I can also play on the right, but I'm more comfortable as a striker and on the left.

"I would say I'm more comfortable on the left compared to the right. I'm right-footed, so it's harder for me to cut inside from the right."

Despite Tel claiming he is not an out-and-out No.9, according to data specialists Transfermarkt he has played seven games as a left-winger and seven games as a centre-forward this season.

The Frenchman played 41 times for Bayern last season, scoring ten goals and registering six assists, meaning he had a much more prominent role under Thomas Tuchel. However, only six of those 41 appearances saw him deployed as a centre-forward, with more than half of them coming from the left.

Of course, versatility is an important trait any club can make use of, particularly when United now operate in a 3-4-2-1 formation under Ruben Amorim. But it is a natural goalscorer that they desperately need ahead of the window slamming shut.