Owen Hargreaves believes Manchester United should ditch their striker search this summer in order to strengthen another key area of weakness in the team.
United have been linked with a move for a high-profile forward in the summer window as they aim to mount a Premier League title challenge next season.
Manchester Evening News report that United have made Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland their priority target, while there are murmurings over the future of Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
Edinson Cavani scored again in United’s 2-0 over Granada to ensure the Reds reached the Europa League last four, but his future is uncertain and Anthony Martial has arguably made a step backwards this season.
United are 11-points from runaway leaders Manchester City in the league and significant investment is needed if the club are to realistically compete for major honours in the next campaign.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made progress as manager and that would be validated by a second place finish in the league and a first piece of silverware with a Europa League triumph.
But former United Champions League winner Hargreaves believes United still won’t be able to realistically challenge next season.
He says there is no necessity to sign a world class striker but named wide-right options such as Haaland’s Dortmund teammate Jadon Sancho and flamboyant Leeds winger Raphinha as more effective targets.
“With Cavani there he is almost an insurance policy and you can maybe go spend the money on three other players in important positions,” Hargreaves told BT Sport, as quoted by the Metro.
“Cavani, if he played the whole season, he could get you 25 goals.
“They are the second highest scorers in the Premier League already, is it really their biggest issue? Everybody could do with Harry Kane or Erling Haaland.
“Some of their best players are Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes.
“Those boys will get you enough goals. I don’t think its realistic for United to win the Premier League next season. But they have to find a way to bridge the gap.
“You bridge that gap by bringing in another centre back, bringing in another central midfielder and getting another right winger.
“A lot of people have played out on that right hand side and they haven’t really found it. I think to go find a winger, Jadon Sancho would be amazing. ‘
“You think about Raphinha at Leeds, you think about what he could do at this United team. You can’t spend £100m on every player.”
READ MORE: (Video) ‘Proper European tie’ – Solskjaer previews Roma as Man Utd reach last four
