Manchester United recall striker from loan spell to ease goalscoring crisis

James Wilson remains at Brighton but another striking prospect returns to the fold.

The good news [for Manchester United fans] is that Louis van Gaal recognises there is a problem. The bad news is the immediate answer has a worse goals per game return than Wayne Rooney or Anthony Martial. In November, when Van Gaal loaned 21-year-old striker James Wilson to Brighton Hove Albion, he said he was doing it with a long-term plan in mind. However, with his team struggling badly to score goals, he has taken a short-term step to remedy the problem. Now 22-year-old striker Will Keane has been recalled from his loan spell at Preston North End. Keane was supposed to be at P.N.E for the entire season but Van Gaal has requested his presence. "[It happened] in the last 24 hours or so," Preston boss Simon Grayson told Sky Sports. "United felt they needed an extra body around them." "Obviously it's disappointing to lose Will. In the last few weeks he's been finding his feet with us. But that is what happens when you get loan players. "We accept it. We will probably go into the market over the next few days and weeks to bring in reinforcements. Hopefully he will do well for Manchester United." United fans will be hoping that too. Keane made his sole appearance, off the bench, for United in 2011/12. Since then he has had loan spells at Wigan, Sheffield Wednesday and QPR. His most prolific loan was at Wednesday - three goals in 13 outings. The England U21 has enjoyed plenty of game-time this season. He has played 22 times [14 starts] but has only found the net twice. That is a goals per game ratio of one in every 11. Martial has seven goals in 23 matches while United captain Rooney has scored four in 21.