Manchester United were reportedly considering a last-minute move for Brighton’s Glenn Murray as their hunt for an attacker in January went down to the wire.
The 36-year-old has struggled for game time this season, starting only four league matches.
The Red Devils were desperate, however, with Marcus Rashford’s long-term injury plunging their season into jeopardy.
The Daily Mail claim that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were struggling to find forwards that would be let go by their clubs in the final days of the transfer window.
And with Murray’s lack of game time for the Seagulls, who sit just a point above the drop zone, the boyhood United fan became a viable option.
Instead, United opted to loan former Watford striker Odion Ighalo from Shanghai Shenhua for six months.
Despite falling behind Neal Maupay in the pecking order at the Amex this season, Murray was subsequently handed a new one-year contract extension up to 2021 on Monday.
And Brighton manager Graham Potter was full of praise for the veteran targetman.
He told Brighton’s official website: “I’m delighted Glenn’s agreed this new contract, and it’s one he deserves. He’s got it because of what he can bring to the team and squad.
“Everyone knows what Glenn brings to this club, and he’s an important member of the squad – on and off the pitch – and he showed that in abundance on Saturday at West Ham.
“I’ve always said he’s got a big part to play here. He’s happy and settled here, he loves this club, and he’s been the ultimate professional on and off the pitch. He’s keeps himself in fantastic shape and that takes great dedication.”
Murray bagged his first Premier League goal of the season on Saturday as his effort snatched his side a point in the 3-3 draw at West Ham.
Meanwhile on Saturday, United slumped to a disappointing 0-0 draw against Wolves at Old Trafford, with new boy Ighalo not yet available.
Former Premier League Golden Boot winner Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, however, doesn’t feel that Ighalo was the right signing to get United firing.
He told Sky Sports: “He must be the luckiest man! Going to China, being away from Europe, nobody seeing him for two-and-a-half years since he was at Watford and then getting a loan move at United.
“Wow. That doesn’t happen! It says how far behind United are from Liverpool, Manchester City and even Chelsea. They have got a big job ahead.
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“They needed somebody in. I think he was not their number one and I would be surprised if he was their number two or three as well.
“He is getting an opportunity and he will definitely get minutes and we will see if he can do it.