With Cristiano Ronaldo set to leave, United are going to need attacking reinforcement on their already thin attacking options. While it's highly unlikely that they sign a striker.Even if they do, It will likely be late in the window.
United have looked at their best when a focal point was used upfront but with the striker market highly inflated. It will be difficult to find one since the good ones are very expensive & the cheap ones carry too much risk.
I have looked at a whole host of attackers and saw the ones that carry little risk and are within Unitied's price range:[£55 million]
I have separated them into 5 categories they could look at.
1. Forward option already at the club
2. Premier League Proven
3. Great Fit but Very Unlikely
4. Second Striker/False 9
5. High Risk,High Reward
1.FORWARD OPTION AT THE CLUB
THE RETURN OF ANTHONY MARTIAL
Since Ronaldo was never a stylistic fit, it came as no surprise that the output of the other attackers diminished. If Ten Hag wants to see 19/20 Bruno & Rashford then there is no better option than Tony. He is great at pressing, linking the play and a better all round fit for any of Ten Hag's systems. He is tried and tested and He even matched Ronaldo's goal tally last season in the 19/20 season with less minutes. Even if he stays, cover will be needed preferably someone who can also play wide-right.
2.PREMIER LEAGUE PROVEN
IVAN TONEY
Toney was a revelation for the Bees in the past season. As his goals kept them in the league last season.With his great link play with Mbuemo & Eriksen. He initially struggled in the first half of the season and that was due to his role as a hybrid more than a goalscorer. Then he thrived playing ahead of a high volume creator in Christian Eriksen. The best part at United, he has 3 high volume creators in Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw(if he stays fit) & Christian Eriksen to play ahead of. The only downside is how he copes with the pressure playing for club with the size of United.With his great Link Play & his aerial dominance, he will provide an option different from the ones United are used to.
3.GREAT FIT BUT HIGHLY UNLIKELY
PAULO DYBALA
With his Juve contract expiring, Dybala is a free agent. The transfer makes a lot of sense financially and tactically. It is highly unlikely United will want tovest in a 28 year old injury prone player who will demand huge wages. I doubt the player will want to play in the Europa League. He is a complete forward with tons of experience at the highest level & he can play anywhere across the front line especially Right wing. With the club never replacing Mason Greenwood ,he represents a great option for free. He likes dropping off the line so he can find the speedy wingers & He also likes cutting on his right foot and blasting the ball into the top corner. The only downsizes are his fitness,his inability to win Aerial Duels,his adaptability in England and will he even do the defensive work required. If the move materialises, It's giving Alexis Sanchez vibes with Sanchez posing similar risks & flopping miserably. He still represents a good value for money.
4. SECOND STRIKER/FALSE 9
JONATHAN DAVID
Ever since Pep Guardiola & Lionel Messi popularized the false 9 role and Ten Hag using Tadic as one in the legendary 18/19 season. They don't come better as Jonathan David. Standing at 5ft 11 tall he represents a better target than Dybala for headers and an outlet for runners in behind. He likes to drop and recieve in-between the lines like Dybala with the only difference being the fact he is younger and he likes to use the right channel.He has minimal experience at the highest level with him scoring 3 UCL goals in 8 apps. Jojo was also a target for rivals Liverpool before they overpaid for Darwin Nunez and was touted as a replacement for Firmino. I can see why with both possessing similar skillsets. He can also play wide-right being a more versatile player than Firmino. He usually plays as a second striker in a front 2 behind either Burak Yilmaz or Timothy Weah. With Lille in financial trouble, a deal is do-able. The only down size is how he adapts as a lone forward. With United not in contention for any title race.Meaning he will be given time to adapt and can be great cover for Anthony Martial . As history has proven itself , Martial works best as the main man with no one breathing down his neck. He will not be competition providing a great option for the right wing. He represents a good cheap option with high resale value.
6.HIGH RISK, HIGH REWARD MAYBE?
ALEXANDER ISAK
After a highly successful 20/21 season which saw him score 17 league goals & star at Euro 2022. It came as a surprise when he had a rather dissapointing 22/23 season. Scoring 10 goals in all competitions and 6 of them coming in the league. Previously linked with Barcelona & Arsenal, it comes as a surprise that there is little interest in him. Standing at 6ft 4, he provides a great target for headers & runners in behind. He has great link play & can spin in behind the defense.
The only downsizes is that he needs service as his goal tally dropped when he received less service.The other one is that buying players when they have had a poor season has not been fruitful as highlighted by United's purchase of Alexis Sanchez. He is only 22 & there is too much time for him to improve. He has a £61 million release clause but can be available for cheaper since he had a poor season. I believe United should take risk since they are the only car in the race & there will be stiff competition for him next summer.
WHO DO YOU THINK MANCHESTER UNITED SHOULD SIGN?
LEAVE YOUR ANSWER IN THE COMMENT SECTION
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