Manchester United are planning to enter the market for a centre-forward this summer.
Operating in the window for the first time under INEOS’ part-ownership, it remains to be seen what the transfer budget will be when it comes to bolstering the squad for the 2024/2025 campaign – a season where United must be back competing among the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Alas, one area that simply must be reinforced is the striker department. It’s a non-negotiable. Responsibility currently falls entirely on 21-year-old Rasmus Hojlund due to Anthony Martial’s long-term layoff with a groin complaint, and the Frenchman will depart Old Trafford in June when his contract expires.
While Hojlund has quickly hit a prolific run of goalscoring form – seven goals in six Premier League matches – Erik ten Hag’s side have registered the lowest amount of goals of any club in the top 11 of the table (35).
It must be said that Antony (£86 million) hasn’t been pulling his weight in the slightest and has seen himself displaced in the starting 11 by 19-year-old Alejandro Garnacho.
Romano on Ratcliffe’s transfer plans
Speaking on the first transfer window of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era, Fabrizio Romano revealed: “Man United next summer will bring in a new striker. The plan looks very clear.
“Sir Jim Ratcliffe is building a new structure as we know. Dan Ashworth and other people working for the club in terms of board preparing for the summer transfer window. But for Manchester United, it is really important to say that they have not decided yet who is the striker they want to sign. They want to bring in one more to help Rasmus Hojlund to keep performing. His potential is huge, they are very happy with him, but one more (striker) will have in the rotation for the manager and for the player. But they still don’t have the idea of the player, if it’s going to be a young one or if they want to go with an experienced one with Rasmus Hojlund already being 21.
“So it is on Man United to decide what kind of player they want. This is going to be with the new director for sure. This is going to be a crucial step for the new project, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe has very clear ideas with all the people next to him preparing for the summer transfer window, and it is to bring in a new striker.
“Manchester United really working on a new striker, but the name will be decided later this year, around April, May, the internal discussions will take place, and we will know who is the striker Man United want for the summer transfer window.”
