MANCHESTER UNITED failed in attempt to sign Bournemouth forward Joshua King, according to reports.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to bring in another striker before Friday night’s transfer deadline.
He is without Marcus Rashford for at least two months due to the stress fracture the England man suffered in his back.
And The Telegraph report that United made a move for King – but the Cherries simply refused to sell.
King, 28, joined Manchester United as a teenager and spent five years on the books following his move from Valerenga, working under Solskjaer with the reserves.
The versatile forward made just two senior appearances for the Red Devils and spent time on loan at Preston, Borussia Monchengladbach, Hull and Blackburn before making his move to Ewood Park permanent in 2013.
Two years later, he joined Bournemouth and has scored 47 times in 160 appearances for the south-coast club.
He has not played since December 28 due to a hamstring injury – but is set to return to action after the Premier League winter break in February.
And Solskjaer was hoping United could bring his fellow Norwegian in to bolster his side’s attack.
But Eddie Howe and Bournemouth were unwilling to do business.
The Cherries sit in the Premier League’s relegation zone, level on points with 17th-placed West Ham.
Callum Wilson has been out of form and Howe’s side have managed just 23 goals in their opening 24 matches of the current campaign.
United did complete the 55million signing of playmaker Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon on Thursday.
But the desperate need for a striker continues with the 11pm deadline looming.
They have been linked with a host of names throughout the January window from Edinson Cavani to Islam Slimani to Odion Ighalo and even to Salomon Rondon.
