Manchester United are reportedly prepared to spend as much as €200m (£173m) during the January transfer window, with a new forward said to be at the top of the club's wishlist.

The 20-time English champions were more active than they had originally planned over the summer, spending big money on Antony, Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez, while Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen also arrived at the club during the recent market.

As a result, the Red Devils had seemingly been preparing for a quiet January, but Cristiano Ronaldo's recent departure has left the team short of options in the final third of the field.

Ronaldo had a deal at Old Trafford until next summer, and it is believed that the club wanted to keep hold of the 37-year-old until the end of his contract before moving for a replacement.

However, the Portuguese's contract was terminated following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, and his departure is set to force the club into the winter market.

According to Nacional, Man United boss Erik ten Hag has told the club's board that he wants to sign three new players during the January transfer window.

The report claims that the Red Devils have €200m (£173m) 'prepared' for their head coach, who will first target a new centre-forward, with Benfica's Goncalo Ramos said to be at the top of his wishlist.

PSV Eindhoven's Cody Gakpo is also said to be wanted by the Dutchman, while a new right-back could arrive, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka potentially leaving at the turn of the year.

Ramos scored three times in four appearances for Portugal at the 2022 World Cup, with the European nation reaching the quarter-finals of the competition before losing to Morocco.

Meanwhile, he has scored 14 goals and registered six assists in 21 appearances for Benfica this season, with nine of those strikes coming in Portugal's top flight.

Gakpo also continues to be heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford, with the Dutchman holding talks over a possible move to the English giants over the summer.

Antony was ultimately preferred to Gakpo during the recent market, but the 23-year-old was excellent for the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup, scoring three times in five appearances.

Meanwhile, the 23-year-old has managed 13 goals and 17 assists in 24 appearances for PSV this season, and it is believed that the Dutch giants are prepared to let him leave in January for the right price.

Man United's last competitive match was the 2-1 victory over Fulham in the Premier League on November 13, but they have played two recent mid-season friendlies, losing to both Cadiz and Real Betis.

Ten Hag's side are back in competitive action at home to Burnley in the EFL Cup on December 21. body check tags ::