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This transfer window, Erik ten Hag is extremely aware of his need to buy another striker to support Rasmus Hojlund, with the Dane being the only striker on the books at Old Trafford.
In a report back in March with Manchester Evening News, ten Hag addressed the need for a striker to come in to replace Anthony Martial who was set to leave this summer and has since been linked with two Ligue 1 clubs.
The Dutch manager said: “You need two strikers in a league we are in and the competitions, you need more options. You need double positioning in every position and some positions we didn’t have the choices this season. The striker position, the left full back position and that has a negative impact on the results.”
He continued: “Last season we were even shorter [up front] and came through that season very well. So the plan was quite logical to go into this season with an extra striker which we signed. That should have been enough to cover everything.
“I think it would help [to sign a striker]. As I always had in this plan we constructed that we should have had enough goals. You count on goals from Rashy – last season he had 30 – you count on goals from Martial.”
With the manager’s words in mind, United have been scouring Europe to find another striker to accompany Hojlund, United have already looked to Barcelona’s Vitor Roque, LOSC Lille’s Jonathan David and Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee.
Previously reports claimed that United are looking to prepare an offer for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, with the Red Devils sitting in prime position to sign the Nigerian striker.
Osimhen has had a difficult season this year, however has still netted 15 goals in 25 games for Napoli, with this only seeming like a poor year thanks to his 26 goals in 32 games the year before. The Nigerian has also kept up his incredible goal tally for his national squad too with 20 goals in 27 games.
Despite leading the way for Osimhen, United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea are also looking to swoop for the 25-year-old, with the Nigerian international recently hinted towards his preferred option of the two English clubs.
Manchester Evening News has announced that in an interview with John Obi Mikel, the 25-year-old hinted towards his thoughts on both teams, saying: “I don’t have a favourite Premier League team but I’ve two jerseys: Chelsea and Man United. Many friends of mine are Chelsea fans, few are Man United fans.
“Premier League is the most appreciated league by every African player – it’s a huge league.”
It looks as though Osimhen may be hinting towards a Chelsea preference, however time will tell on the direction the young strikers career takes.
