Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly held a late transfer meeting with members of the club's hierarchy in an effort to force through a move for a new striker before the 11pm deadline.
United let Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez leave the club before the season began and have seen their striking options further limited by an injury to Marcus Rashford.
A host of names have been linked to the 20-time champions of England in recent days, including Joshua King, Yannick Carrasco, Edinson Cavani, Willian Jose, Danny Ings and Odion Ighalo.
The Evening Standard reports that Solskjaer is now working through a list of options as cover for the injured Rashford, having been left with only Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood as available centre-forwards.
King is currently considered the most likely target despite Bournemouth's reluctance to sell, but United are also reportedly still interested in Ighalo.
United have made just one signing this month, bringing in Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon earlier this week.
