Manchester United are hoping to complete the signing of Marcos Llorente on loan in the coming days, with the midfielder having been identified by scouts as an ideal recruit for the remainder of the season.

United are undoubtedly short on numbers all over the park, but it’s in midfield where they look especially thin. With last season’s departures not being replaced, followed by a string of significant injuries throughout this season, it is imperative that investments are made in that area of the field during the winter transfer window.

The Red Devils are reportedly close to completing the signing Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes, but with long-term casualties to Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay, Solskjaer looks set to be forced into a further midfield signing on loan.

Step up Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente. The Spaniard has supposedly been identified as the ideal man to fill one of the voids in the squad. Llorente moved to Atletico from Real Madrid for a fee of £35m in the summer, but has seen his playing time limited due to the fierce rivalry for places in the Los Rojiblancos midfield.

Such as life with the January transfer window, it is unlikely that United will be able to lure many top midfielder’s away from clubs during the middle of the season when they are playing regularly, but Llorente seems like a serious option as the 24-year-old needs more minutes on the pitch.

United are a club that can give him those minutes, and a loan deal will buy Solskjaer time to think of permanent options in the summer.