Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has defended the lack of a striker signing in January.

United have suffered a blow with Rasmus Hojlund out for several weeks due to injury.

"First of all, striker options are most difficult to fill this in, especially on our level," Ten Hag said.

"Last season, (Anthony) Martial did great things for us. We played our best football last year with Anthony Martial as a striker. He is also on high payment in this club, so when you bring another one in, you strike him out.

"Strikers are not cheap. We thought, we had options.

"But when it [Martial injury] develops, I wanted to bring in a striker in the winter, but it was not possible. And, similar, was the problems we already had with FFP in the summer.

"There was real shortage on good options. That is why we were very happy to sign Rasmus Hojlund, who is a player at the level of Manchester United."