Louis van Gaal to use Marouane Fellaini as a striker this season - no more Manchester United transfers?

Louis van Gaal told a press conference, ahead of the Champions League qualifier against Club Brugge on Wednesday, that he intends on using Marouane Fellaini as a forward this season, more than a midfielder.

That might suggest that with United almost certain to miss out on their targets of Thomas Muller, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Neymar and Harry Kane, they will look within their squad to solve their creative problems. Adnan Januzaj and Memphis have both failed to impress behind the striker.

Similarly, he would offer an alternative to Wayne Rooney, who has been playing so badly that even in an unfamiliar position as striker, he could currently do no worse than the England striker, who has failed to score this season, and averages a single shot on target per game since February.

Some have taken this as a suggestion that United are not looking in the transfer market anymore, and while that is a possibility, it isn't what Van Gaal said. His point is more likely that with the number of midfielders available to United now, he will be most effective for the squad as a Plan B when the side are trailing, more than a player to feature from the start of games. With Van Gaal, mind, it's hard to tell what he's thinking.

Van Gaal on Fellaini: "He can play as a no.6 or no.8 but this year he'll be more a no.9 or no.10 as we have players in the other positions."

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 25, 2015