Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial top of West Ham‘s January wish list as Manchester United stars are target for loan moves

MANCHESTER UNITED will be asked to loan West Ham the world’s most expensive teenager, Anthony Martial, or their highly-rated England star, Marcus Rashford, in January.

The Hammers have given up on trying to lure Michy Batshuayi away from Chelsea, with the reserve striker the only serious contender to replace Diego Costa who is suspended for their Boxing Day clash with Bournemouth.

And so, reports Slaven Bilic will try to tempt two of Jose Mourinho’s fringe forwards away from Old Trafford where he will be able to guarantee them regular Premier League action at the London Stadium.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and gossip ahead of the January window with SunSport’s daily LIVE blog.

United sold 21-year-old striker Ashley Fletcher to West Ham in the summer so there is an open line of communication and a friendly face in the dressing room were either of the two United prospects fancy a change of scenery.

And, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to lead the line well ahead of two young talents – with a threat to play on until he is 50 – chances for their development will be limited.

West Ham linked themselves to a number of high-profile summer transfer targets like Ibrahimovic, Batshuayi and Carlos Bacca.

But they ended up with untried Fletcher, Andre Ayew, Jonathan Calleri and the misfiring Simeone Zaza and have struggled for goals while Andy Carroll has been injured.

Two 1-0 Premier League wins on the spin – thanks to Mark Noble penalties – have lifted spirits around the club and pressure off Bilic’s shoulders but goal scoring remains a problem they need to address.

Daniel Sturridge’s second-string status at Liverpool could help the Hammers with a New Year bid but his injury record, held up alongside Carroll’s, would not instil a huge sense of confidence.

The club already face a tough January convincing France midfielder Dimitri Payet to stay and fend of relegation.

The free-kick ace has looked out of sorts this season – even disinterested at times – and has recently spoke openly about the idea of playing for suitors Arsenal and former club Marseille.

And deals to retain current players, or bring in fresh faces, will probably be down to the hands-on board after SunSport revealed discussions over extending Bilic’s contract have been postponed after  a poor start to the season.