As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United are ready to hunt for a new striker in January after Cristiano Ronaldo declared his exit from the club.
The United board are willing to go all out for a new attacker as they search for the final puzzle in Erik ten Hag’s newly crafted starting XI.
There are plans to recruit four more data scientists at United to help the current director of data science Dominic Jordan at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have been linked with several players, although, not every other player are meant to be the club’s top priority. PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo is a more realistic target for Ten Hag. The 23-year-old’s contract with the Dutch club will expire in 2026. He would be a costly option but a more reliable one for the Red Devils. Gakpo is in fine form for the Netherlands, as he scored the opening goal against Senegal in the World Cup group stage match.
Barcelona attacker Memphis Depay is also strongly credited with a move to United. The Dutch outcast is surplus to requirements in Xavi’s squad and United may get the chance to sign him for absolutely nothing.
Other players like Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Lille’s Jonathan David, Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Ajax’s Brian Brobbey are attainable targets for the club in the upcoming transfer window.
It is doubtful that the Red Devils will splash a huge sum in signing players like Victor Osimhen. Although United have options up front, they have suffered miserably in the attack. With a goal difference of zero, United are lurking in the fifth spot of the league table and a lack of goals are hurting their prospects of winning matches by a bigger margin.
Marcus Rashford is the highest scorer for the club this season with eight goals to his name. The second player on the list is Anthony Martial, who scored four goals.
However, the French striker has been sidelined for 14 out of possible 21 matches this season. He has missed 13 weeks of action owing to his terrible fitness record. Jadon Sancho has not played for the club since October 22 and the English star has failed to score in the past two months, which sums up his poor form.
Brazilian winger Antony’s rich vein of form was a major plus point for Ten Hag. The 22-year-old scored three goals in three consecutive Premier League games for United, setting a club record in the process.
However, he has missed the last five games for United owing to injury. Facundo Pellistri has been an unused substitute this season and he has been unable to mark his debut since signing for the Old Trafford outfit two years back. Loanee Amad Diallo has made a name for himself at Sunderland after scoring three goals in his last five appearances. He could be recalled in January amid a shortage of options for attack.
Ronaldo’s departure has left some serious amount of cash on the table. The striker has eased the financial strain on the club by freeing up his huge wage bill and Ten Hag can use this cash to sign a player in January.
