Manchester United have already strengthened their attacking ranks with the loan signing of Wout Weghorst this month, although there have been claims that the Red Devils could be keen to add yet another temporary forward before the close of the window.

One name who has emerged of late is that of Borussia Dortmund stalwart, Marco Reus, with the 33-year-old facing an uncertain future at Westfalenstadion with just six months remaining on his existing deal.

Rumours of a possible move to United have been circulating after the forward's agent was spotted at Old Trafford during the recent derby clash with Manchester City, albeit with journalist Fabrizio Romano suggesting that despite "conversations" having been held between the two parties, there is no negotiation taking place at present.

Even if a move were to occur, it does appear that a summer switch is more likely, with transfer insider Dean Jones - speaking to GIVEMESPORT - suggesting any deal for the German veteran (as well as another reported target, Dani Olmo) is not set to take place this month.

The respected source stated: “They’re names that get you a bit excited, but ultimately, I wouldn’t expect players like that to be landing in this window.

“It’s a shame, I’m sure, for any United fan scouring the internet at the moment desperate to see a breakthrough and a player that might compare to the ones that Chelsea have signed, for instance. But I think that anybody like that would be more for the summer now.”

The "incredible" dynamo - as lauded by former Dortmund boss Lucien Favre - would no doubt have been an astute short-term, January addition for Erik ten Hag's side, having been a reliable figure at his current club for over a decade, racking up 156 goals and 117 assists in 368 games across all fronts.

Despite that remarkable tally, however, there may be doubts over the wisdom in bringing in the £187k-per-week marksman due to his age and recent injury record, with such a deal evoking notable similarities to the previous signing of compatriot, Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Like Reus, the former Bayern Munich midfielder was seemingly in the twilight of his career when he was snapped up by Louis van Gaal in 2015, joining on a £14.5m deal after winning a plethora of major honours for both club and country.

Despite going on to earn the respect of the United support - memorably receiving a huge ovation from the home crowd after making a rare, substitute appearance in November 2016 against West Ham United - the World Cup winner was never able to truly make his mark at the Theatre of Dreams, making just 35 appearances in total before sealing an exit in March 2017.

As talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino stated, the playmaker's "legs weren't quite the same" after previously having been "terrific" for Bayern, with it ultimately proving a wasted venture as far as United are concerned.

The fear will be that the addition of another ageing figure from Germany in the form of Reus could follow a similar pattern to that of Schweinsteiger's ill-fated switch.