Manchester United’s joint-worst start to a Premier League season has already turned the heat on boss Michael Carrick and his players.

The Red Devils have taken just five points from their opening five games – something which also occurred in 2014/15 under Louis van Gaal.

That’s prompted much criticism with many questioning the club’s transfer business.

The most notable areas of concern right now appear to be left-back and centre-forward.

In the former position, the ageing Luke Shaw is always a fitness concern, while Patrick Dorgu does not seem to be trusted enough defensively – he’s played further forward so far this season.

In attack, Benjamin Sesko is another who doesn’t seem to have impressed Michael Carrick enough and the manager’s other options are underwhelming with Joshua Zirkzee seemingly not good enough and none of Matheus Cunha, Marcus Rashford and Bryan Mbeumo being a natural number nine.

The transfer window doesn’t open until January but could United look to the free-agent market to strengthen Carrick’s hand? Here’s a look at possible options…

Karim Benzema

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One suspects United fans would have loved to have signed Benzema in his prime – the French international won five Champions Leagues and scored goals for fun at Real Madrid. Now 38, he recently left Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. Could he deliver in the Premier League in a similar way to how Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson did at Old Trafford when past their best?

If United want a fresh option at left-back, the Portugal international looks a standout candidate. He has the quality having shone for Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in both the Bundesliga and Champions League over the past decade. He left the latter in the summer and still has another contract in him being only 32.

A less likely option but, unlike Guerreiro, the Northern Ireland international does have Premier League experience, having played for Norwich and Newcastle in the top flight. However, after a loan spell in Brazil with Sao Paulo, he was last seen playing in the Championship for Preston so the step back up may be too tough. At 28, does have age on his side though.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

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The Ukrainian would bring tons of Premier League experience to the Old Trafford table but would United really be interested in the former Manchester City and Arsenal man? Regardless of your option on that, the glaring issue is a fitness one - Zinchenko damanged his ACL while at Ajax last season and so isn’t up to speed on that front.

Another player with a strong CV – the Argentina international played at Inter Milan and PSG in the best years of his career. Now 33, he has most recently being playing in Turkey for Galatasaray where he scored 77 goals in 134 games, winning four league titles. He would, however, arrive with something of a reputation for off-field controversy – is that really what United need right now?