Manchester United are hoping to resolve their injury crisis in attack by going back in for Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic – but they’ll have to see out the storm until the January transfer window opens.

According to The Athletic, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still intent on bolstering his squad with the Croatian, having come close to sealing a deal for him during the summer.

United have struggled to cope with a spate of injuries, as the cupboard has been left bare after injuries to Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, as well as the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to Inter Milan.

Daniel James had to be deployed as a makeshift striker during the 2-0 defeat to West Ham last week while 17-year-old Mason Greenwood has also been called into action. Mandzukic not only offers depth but a different profile of player.

At 33, the 2018 World Cup finalists offers potential experience to a young and often naive-looking United team, and at 6ft3in would add aerial presence either as the central striker or coming on from the left wing.

Juventus are likely to be willing to sell as Mandzukic has not yet played so much as a minute in any competition so far this season.

An £11m price-tag had been quoted in the Italian media over the summer, but no transfer fee may be required as Juve boss Maurizio Sarri has made plain that the Croatian is not in his plans.