TOP AUTHORS United are ready to try and sign a striker in the summer transfer window, but it's a challenge that's easier said than done.
Erik ten Hag selected Rasmus Hojlund as United's main striker last summer.
There are few strikers in the Premier League at the moment who can show more depth than Rasmus Hojlund.
The 21-year-old made the switch from Atalanta to Manchester United last summer and scored his fourth Premier League goal in Sunday's 3-0 win over West Ham United at Old Trafford. The Dane's opening game against the Hammers was also his fifth goal in his last six matches.
Now that he has earned double figures for the season, he is gradually starting to justify why United decided to initially invest £64 million to sign him as a long-term mainstay in the team's forward line. In addition to scoring goals, his overall performance has improved a lot, and his tandem ability has improved by leaps and bounds.
Marcus Rashford's absence in Molineux' opening game against Wolves last Thursday night was a direct result of his awareness and composure. It was a clever timeout, and Rashford's finish was even better.
Hojlund slotted home from close range after a brilliant shot from Luke Shaw on the left flank to give United the second goal at Molinex. This highlights his determination and aggressiveness, putting himself in a position where he can take any scoring opportunity.
His goal against West Ham United was even more beautiful. After catching Casemiro's interception, the Dane skipped a couple of West Ham United challenges and fired a powerful shot into Alphonse Areola's attacking range. It was his best goal for United so far and the quality of the goal showed his confidence was growing.
With his confidence levels on the rise, Manchester United supporters are now starting to understand why the club chose Harry Kane as their first choice when hopes of signing Harry Kane failed to materialise last summer. Although he is still in his infancy and constantly learning on the job, it is beginning to become clear that he has great potential.
After committing a transfer fee that could eventually rise to £72 million, United have signed Hojlund and plan to make him the face of the team's forward line for years to come. If he continues to improve, it would not be unrealistic to show that he can take on the responsibility of Manchester United's leading goalscorer for the next decade.
Ahead of his recent red-hot form, there was a perception that United needed to sign another striker in order to provide him with stiff competition in the starting line-up. Following Anthony Anthony's injury again, manager Erik ten Hag admitted last week that he wants to add another striker to the January transfer window.
Anthony Martial's contract expires in the summer and he is widely expected to leave the club, with Hojlund set to become United's only out-and-out senior striker. It is understood that recruiting strikers is one of the club's top priorities ahead of the 2024 25 season.
Just a few weeks ago, you might have thought United needed to bring in a striker to challenge Hojlund for his starting position, but now you might think it's not necessary. Of course, the Reds will need to bring in Anthony Martial's replacement to provide competition and support for Hojlund, but the club are unlikely to target a direct rival to compete him for a starting spot.
That being said, United's ambition to bring in a striker ahead of next season may not be an easy task. Although they promised Hojlund a weekly starting spot last summer when they tried to convince him to join the club, they will not be able to offer that promise to the striker they are trying to sign this coming summer.
That means United won't be able to attract some of the names that have been linked with them in recent months, such as Ivan Toney; He won't trade Brentford's starting spot for a substitute at Old Trafford. Moreover, it would be foolish for United to give up the fees Tony paid for him as a substitute option.
This means Manchester United may have a hard time trying to attract the right option to offer Hojlund the competition. Their sales pitch must outline that the role is a bench or rotation option, not a regular starter.
Offering such a role means that United may be limited in what they can do when trying to find a contender for Hojlund. It is likely that they will be forced to go down the path of recruiting a high-potential player who is not yet worthy of a regular starting point at a club like Manchester United.