Manchester united boss Louis van Gaal may be in the market for a new striker before the current transfer window shuts
Manchester United have started their season in a decent manner, winning two out of two in the Premier League and last night saw off Belgian champions Club Brugge 3-1 in their Champions League play-off first leg.
New signing Memphis Depay was the star of the show scoring twice and having a couple more opportunities to add to his goal tally.
Despite the victory United did not look clinical in front of goal, as the Red Devils had 19 shots on goal, with only eight of them on target.
Lacking
Louis van Gaal’s side now look like they are lacking striking options, with just captain Wayne Rooney and Mexican striker Javier Hernandez as their only senior striking options. Youngster James Wilson did produce a few encouraging displays last season, but it would be unfair to expect him to lead the United line.
Van Gaal does not seem to be a big fan of Chicharito, who he loaned out to Real Madrid last season. He gave him a cameo appearance in last night’s game, but even his most ardent supporters would not call him ‘world-class’.
Wayne Rooney seems to be enduring a sluggish start to the campaign at the moment. He produced a few touches of quality against Brugge. However the 29-year-old seems to be lacking confidence in front of goal at the minute.
That will be a major concern for everybody involved with Manchester United. The Red Devils are still regarded as outsiders for the Premier League title at odds of 11/2, but Rooney in form would likely to increase their chances of success this season.
Close
According to Sky Sports, United have agreed personal terms with Barcelona winger Pedro, but the two clubs have yet to agree a fee for the 28-year-old Spanish international.
Pedro would be a good signing, but he is not a central striker, he is a winger, despite having played as a central striker at times in the past for Barcelona.
Pedro’s arrival at Old Trafford now looks very likely, although Chelsea and Manchester City are also believed to be sniffing round the winger. He is likely to play on one of the flanks, most likely the right, with Mata centrally and Depay coming in from the left wing. It seems strange that Ashley Young has just signed a new contract and could lose his place in the first team.
I have no doubts about what Pedro will bring to the United team. He will offer pace and directness, although his signing will still not solve the team’s striker problem.
Linked
The Daily Mail are linking United with a £60million bid for Bayern Munich and Germany forward Thomas Muller. The German champions are desperate to keep the highly-rated star, but it is being reported that he has a ‘special relationship’ with United boss Van Gaal.
Muller has been prolific in front of goal for Bayern and Germany down the years, despite playing in a number of different roles. He was one of the stars of the show on Friday as Bayern opened the defence of their Bundesliga crown with a 5-0 hammering of Hamburg.
The 25-year-old’s versatility will also be a big draw for the Red Devils. During his career he has played on both wings, as a second striker and of course as a central striker.
Muller is a serial collector of trophies, having won the Bundesliga four times, the Champions League once and last year helped his country to become world champions in Brazil.
No doubt he would be a fantastic signing if United could prise him away from Bavaria, but at the moment it seems the German giants are not interested in selling one of their top players to United.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane was also linked with a move to United earlier this summer. However it seems that United will not revive their interest in the Spurs striker.
Needed
For me Manchester United cannot challenge for the Premier League title with their current forward options. New signing Memphis Depay looks like a bright prospect, but the young Dutchman cannot do it all on his own from his position on the wing, or attacking midfield role.
United either need Rooney to rediscover his top form soon, or they will need to splash out big in an attempt to sign a prolific goalscorer this summer if they are to mount a realistic title challenge this season.
Which striker should Manchester United target this summer?
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