Erik ten Hag’s side needs a striker to compete with Arsenal and Manchester City. Who should he go after?
Wout Weghorst
Wout Weghorst, who joined Manchester United on loan from Burnley in January, has proven to be a useful stopgap this season. The big Dutchman has failed to score in 10 league games and has only one assist, as he arranged Alejandro Garnacho in a 2-0 win against Leeds in February, but his greatest work has come off the ball.
Apart from his availability and price, the key reason for signing Weghorst was his workrate, which has allowed those in support, particularly Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, prosper. The 30-year-old has proven to be a successful short-term option, but if United makes his transfer official and he is the only attacker they add this summer, it will be a disappointing window.
Victor Osimhen
If Napoli sells Victor Osimhen this summer, he will command a high price. The Nigerian has led their title chase, scoring 21 goals in Serie A this season, at least seven more than any other player. If, or rather when, Napoli wins the scudetto, Osimhen will be remembered fondly by the club’s ardent supporters.
The club will expect a huge amount for Osimhen, and the deal will have to please Aurelio De Laurentiis, Napoli’s famously difficult negotiator. That said, if United are looking for a prolific, flexible striker who is a problem for defenders, they ought to go all in on Osimhen.
Randal Kolo Muani
Kane’s ability to drift wide and connect up play makes him an excellent all-around forward. Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt is in the similar boat. The Frenchman is one of just five players in Europe’s top five divisions this season to have both goals (12) and assists (10) in double figures, and his reputation has grown throughout the season.
Eintracht are in the midst of a late-season slump and may lose out on European competition entirely, which would increase United’s chances of getting the France international. Muani is also a good worker off the ball, which will please Ten Hag. Only Joshua Kimmich (31) and Jude Bellingham (28) have gained more offensive third possessions than the 24-year-old (27) this season in the Bundesliga. Muani is not the most well-known striker on this list, but he may be the ideal match.
Harry Kane
For a long time, Harry Kane has been speculated to be moving to Manchester United, and this summer might be the year he eventually leaves Tottenham. He has broken their goal record, is in the final year of his contract, and the management uncertainty at Spurs may persuade Kane that his future is better served elsewhere,especially with a team that is more likely to win trophies and participate in the Champions League the following season.
Of course, Tottenham will be hesitant to let Kane go for a competitor. Even though Kane’s contract has 12 months still on it, Daniel Levy will expect a large amount for the England captain. Kane, on the other hand, would make an ideal protagonist in Erik ten Hag’s system. Acquiring a player who promises goals – he has 23 for Spurs in the Premier League this season – would assist United contend for the crown with Arsenal and Manchester City.
Rasmus Højlund
Rasmus Hjlund is a player to watch in the future. The 20-year-old has not been a 1st regular for Atalanta this season, making 10 of his 25 appearances off the bench, but he has made the best of his opportunities. Despite just playing 1,402 minutes in Serie A, the young Dane has seven goals and two assists.
Hjlund has a lot of raw potential and resembles Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in that he is a strong runner with the ability to score any sort of goal. The youthful Danish international, who scored five goals during the March international break, may be a wise acquisition if recruited with an experienced striker.
Benjamin Sesko
Last summer, United mulled a bid for Benjamin Sesko before RB Salzburg agreed to trade the young Slovenian to RB Leipzig at the conclusion of the season. Yet, if the price is right, United may still be able to sign him.
The 19-year-old striker is the youngest on our list, but he has the potential to become an outstanding frontman. This season, the adolescent, who like to play off of the shoulders of the last defender, has 13 goals in the Austrian Bundesliga. At 6ft 4in, he is a commanding forward with the physical characteristics to excel in the Premier League.
Gonçalo Ramos
If Manchester United are searching for a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, they might do worse than turn to the guy who replaced him for Portugal at the World Cup. Gonçalo Ramos was second dance to Darwin Nez at Benfica last season, yet he’s stepped forward this season and is leading the team to triumph.
Benfica leads the Primeira Liga by seven points and is prepared for a Champions League quarter-final match against Inter. Ramos is the combined top-scorer in the Portuguese league this season, with 17 goals, and he has contributed in Europe. He doesn’t generate many chances for teammates, but he works hard on defence, which is a must for any attacker who wants to play.
Jonathan David
No player has scored more goals in Ligue 1 this season than Jonathan David (19), and the sense in France is that the Canadian is poised to take the next step in his career. David has scored for Lille since joining from Gent in 2020, and with eight games yet to play, he’s already having his best productive season.
For Lille, David connects the play well. He has generated 41 opportunities for colleagues this season, putting him in the top 20 in Ligue 1, and he has 4 assists. The transition to the Premier League is significant, but with the correct coaching and atmosphere, the 23-year-old might succeed in England.
