Manchester United scored just 57 Premier League goals last season, the joint-lowest tally of any team in the top half. It’s therefore no surprise to see many rumoured Man United striker targets this summer.
Erik ten Hag’s main options for the role are currently Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee,, who ranks as the club’s third-most expensive signing this transfer window.
There was a debut goal for Zirkzee against Fulham, but his tally of just 11 strikes in Serie A for Bologna last term suggests he’s unlikely to be the 20-goal striker that could transform this United side. At least not currently.
Man United striker targets: Our top three candidates
Brian Brobbey
Ajax forward Brian Bobbey is one player that Man Utd have been consistently linked with this summer, with Arsenal also reportedly keen.
The 22-year-old registered 22 goals in all competitions for the Dutch club last season and is one of the brightest young forwards in the Eredivisie. He knows Ten Hag well from their time together at Ajax and while he was still an emerging talent at that stage, the current United boss did find a way to get the best out of him.
Brobbey’s seven Eredivisie goals in Ten Hag’s final season came at a rate of one every 57 minutes, and he’d be a good fit for the English club’s current transfer policy of signing young talent.
However, Brobbey is far from a proven operator at the highest level and a brief spell at RB Leipzig ended with the youngster making just one league start before returning to Ajax. A reported price tag of more than €60m also seems on the high side.
Ivan Toney
If Man Utd want to sign a proven Premier League goalscorer, then surely they need look no further than Ivan Toney, who looks set to leave Brentford before the end of the summer.
Toney netted 20 times in the 2022/23 Premier League before his well-documented ban for betting offences restricted the England striker to just 16 starts and four goals last term.
The 28-year-old should be sharper heading into the new season and he’d surely be a useful asset for the Red Devils given his physicality and ability to lead the line, whilst offering a constant goal threat.
With Toney’s contract set to expire next summer, the Bees are believed to be willing to cash in for around £50m, with strong interest coming from Saudi club Al Ahli. Reports suggest that Toney may already have agreed terms with the Pro League side, but it’s not too late for United to hijack that deal.
Federico Chiesa
Given that there are already two strikers at Old Trafford, in addition to Marcus Rashford, who can operate in the role, it’s possible that any further attacking signings could involve a different type of forward.
Federico Chiesa is one name in the frame. Juventus made the Italian available and wouldn’t be expensive, with around €15m likely to be enough to take him to England. That’s not a huge sum for a talented 26-year-old who has played more than 50 times for Italy.
Chiesa would be a versatile addition, capable of operating on either flank, as well as a central forward. However, there may be serious concerns about the downturn in his form in recent years, with a return of nine goals and two assists in Serie A last term, not particularly impressive.
