Manchester United linked with move for Ivan Toney

Ivan Toney has made himself available for the January transfer window

Since joining Old Trafford for £72 million from Atalanta, 20-year-old Rasmus Hojlund has made an impression, but there is growing recognition that the Red Devils require another striker to support him in carrying the load of spearheading the line.

The lack of other options at the club was made evident by Anthony Martial's lacklustre display against Newcastle United in the middle of the week.

This led to rumours on Thursday stating that the Red Devils had created a shortlist of two players for a January move, which included Mehdi Taremi of FC Porto and Ivan Toney of Brentford.

Ivan Toney, who is now serving an eight-month suspension for betting crimes, is not expected to be interested in moving to Old Trafford, according to a recent report.

In The Mirror's Diary of a CEO podcast,

“Everyone wants to play at the top of the tree. Everyone wants to play for these big clubs and compete for trophies. If a chance was to come along, I would be silly not to look into it.

“The next club I go to will be the right club. I am a Liverpool fan my whole life. I have liked Arsenal from young, how they play and how passionate their fans are. But I’m a Liverpool boy, Liverpool fan at heart.”

With these remarks, Toney needs to be instantly removed from any list that United may have of possible signings.

Manchester United have occasionally signed players who had played for or supported its bitter rivals. Two notable examples are the additions of Michael Owen and Alan Smith.

Toney's "right club" remark, however, at this point in his career, indicates a complete resolve to follow his heart, which will not take him to Old Trafford.

The Bees' reported £100 million asking price for him is also reason enough to make a January transfer for the prolific player unfeasible.