The 2023/24 season was strange for the Old Trafford striking cast.
Danish youngster Rasmus Hojlund joined Manchester United from Italian side Atalanta in the summer and, despite some initial struggles during his adaptation period, went on to have a fine maiden campaign – scoring 16 goals in all competitions.
The Denmark international added welcome energy and tenaciousness to the attack, and despite not starting the FA Cup final, cemented himself as Erik ten Hag’s leading striker.
However, as was the case for much of the season, the side often relied upon the 21-year-old a little too much – with the Dane being the only fit senior striker at the club for much of the campaign.
If Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos machine are intent on progressing this football team, an over-reliance on the former Copenhagen man cannot be the case going into next season.
Au Revoir, Martial
Anthony Martial endured a miserable campaign during his ninth and final season with United.
The French forward made 19 appearances – scoring on two occasions, one in a Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace in September 2023, and the other in a 3-0 league victory at Everton at the end of November.
The 28-year-old former Monaco wonderkid endured a season typically blighted by injuries, missing the entire second half of the campaign after undergoing groin surgery in January.
He departs the club with an undoubted sense of ‘what might have been’.
Decisions
United’s recruitment team and manager will need to decide on exactly what type of striker they wish to acquire this summer – but the likelihood is that the new player will be a deputy.
In my opinion, the ideal scenario would be to bring an older player willing to accept somewhat of a lesser role – a player with the correct mentality to come in and perform when called upon.
Someone in the mould of former United striker Edinson Cavani would have been the ideal candidate.
I would veer away from bringing in another marquee centre-forward this time, as this could indeed stunt the growth of our Scandinavian.
It is important to remember that Profit and Sustainability (PSR) will play a role in our summer spending – it would make a lot more sense to shop a little shrewder this summer.
Criticism
The club has often been criticized for bringing in older or slightly over-the-hill strikers to fill a short-term hole.
The likes of Odion Ighalo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Cavani arrived in their thirties with varying degrees of success – while Dutchman Wout Weghorst had a surprisingly brief loan stint in 2023.
However, this time would be different, as whoever the club bring in will be playing as a backup rather than the primary man himself.
The rumour mill is in full flow!
Many names have already been touted – with the likes of Brentford hotshot Ivan Toney (28) and RB Leipzig young-gun Benjamin Sesko both high on the lists of many clubs around England and Europe.
While both men are talented players – and excellent options, I don’t think either player would come cheap – nor would they settle for a season spent potentially playing second fiddle up front.
Other Options
Marcus Rashford has played as an out-and-out striker for the Reds, but his future is still uncertain. The Wythenshawe man has previously stated his preference for playing off the left, so this would most likely rule the Mancunian forward out in terms of being a consistent backup option.
Other names United could pursue this window may well include Bologna’s 23-year-old Dutch Centre-forward, Joshua Zirkzee.
The 6ft 4 striker impressed in Serie A for Thiago Motta’s team the season just gone and is primed for a move.
Serhou Guirassy of Stuttgart would be a slightly more realistic option for United. The 28-year-old was linked with a move to the club in January, and with a rumoured £17.5m release clause, it remains unclear if a move will come to fruition.
The Guinea international netted 28 goals in the Bundesliga last term, finishing second behind Harry Kane in the scoring charts.
35-year-old Bayern Munich fringe player Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting could be another Bundesliga striker to pursue this summer.
Other potential names include Jonathan David of Lille, Matheus Cunha of Wolves, Joselu of Real Madrid, Brian Brobbey from Ajax and Vitor Roque of Barcelona.
Making the correct Choice
Who exactly United do end up signing remains unclear.
Of course, the club would love to bring someone with alternative strengths to Hojlund.
The ideal is a link-man of the ilk of a modern-day Teddy Sheringham – but these players don’t grow on trees.
The aspects already discussed in this piece – price, availability and willingness to play a supporting role – will be crucial for any incomings in this position.
Whatever happens, a compelling summer is all but guaranteed.
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