Manchester United are being increasingly linked with strikers in this summer’s transfer window due to the uncertainty over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future. The 37-year-old asked to leave the club last month and missed Erik ten Hag’s first pre-season tour as a result.
Ronaldo did, however, feature in the first game of the season and an exit is looking unlikely due to the lack of options. In the event of an exit, several players have been lined up.
Earlier this month, it was suggested that Stuttgart forward Sasa Kalajdzic was among the players considered to fill the role. The Austrian international was one of the breakout stars in Germany last season.
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Now, former United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has urged the forward to stay put at Stuttgart, arguing that another season in the Bundesliga would not harm his development.
“It is important that Saša remains injury-free this season and trains and plays at the highest possible level. If he stays in Stuttgart this season, it will not be detrimental to his development,” Rangnick said, according to Get Football News Germany.
Rangnick manages Kalajdzic with the Austria national team and the 25-year-old is one of his star players.
SN’s verdict…
In truth, United should be signing a striker regardless of what happens with Ronaldo. The absence of a clear focal point was United’s downfall against Brighton last weekend.
Kalajdzic has attracted the interest of several top European clubs but Rangnick’s comments won’t help. International managers do have an influence on their players, as was seen in Jurrien Timber’s case earlier this summer.
Kalajdzic does not, however, have to worry about being left out of the World Cup squad as Austria have not qualified.