Six alternatives to Rasmus Hojlund for Manchester United
Manchester United's quest to sign a striker this summer is proving problematic. Erik ten Hag's side are struggling to strike a deal for a new frontman, and with six weeks to go until the transfer window closes, they need to get their act together. Rasmus Hojlund has emerged as the club's number one striker target, but Atalanta's asking price of at least £60m is proving a sticking point. With that in mind, we take a look at some potential alternatives United could target this summer.
Jonathan David may not be the most intimidating of forwards on the continent, but the Canadian has experience playing as the lone frontman in a 4-2-3-1 setup. The 23-year-old excelled in this role last season, scoring 24 league goals and laying on a further four assists for a Lille side that finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season.
Interest in David's services should be higher, though Tottenham have recently been linked with a the Canada international. United though could do a lot worse than make a move for the young striker, who has ample experience in one of Europe's top leagues. David would also come cheaper than Hojlund, which could appeal to the Premier League powerhouse.
Not a striker in the traditional sense, Mohammed Kudus does have a little experience in the role from his brief foray as the central striker for Ajax in the Eredivisie last season and for Ghana at the 2022 World Cup. Kudus worked under Erik ten Hag during their time together in the Netherlands, so the latter is well versed in the former's style of play.
While better from the right or in a deeper midfield role, Kudus' ability to lead the charge makes him an interesting alternative to Hojlund. Despite only 19 of his 30 appearances coming from the outset, the 22-year-old completed more dribbles (91) than any other player in Dutch top tier last term. With 11 goals to his name, a willing runner with an eye for goal makes him an intriguing alternative to Hojlund.
Mehdi Taremi may turn 31 this week, but the FC Porto star is still a man in demand across Europe. Manchester United have been linked with a move for Iran international, as have AC Milan, with the Italian side reportedly close to agreeing personal terms with the striker. However, with Porto prepared to sell Taremi this summer, Old Trafford could prove a viable destination.
United could certainly use a striker with experience to lead the charge, and Taremi has been a consistent force to be reckoned with in Portugal for a few years now. He ended the 2022/23 season with 22 league goals and a further seven assists, and it's the desire to bring others into play coupled with his eye for goal that would benefit Erik ten Hag's side. He could prove a handy short-term forward option for United, at least until the striker market settles down in 12 months' time.
🇮🇷 Mehdi Taremi's player characteristics:
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 17, 2023
✅Strengths:
🟢 Through balls
🟢 Key passes
🟢 Aerial duels
🟢 Finishing
🟢 Passing
🟢 Holding on to the ball
❌ Weaknesses:
𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 pic.twitter.com/JqCeXT0NYz
Remaining with Liga Bwin, only the aforementioned Taremi scored more goals than Goncalo Ramos (19) in Portugal's top tier last term. Ramos is a different profile of striker to his FC Porto counterpart, in that he is far more effective at putting the ball in the back of the net rather than bringing teammates into play.
Yet the only recognised striker on the United books - Anthony Martial - scored just six league goals last term, highlighting the need to bring in a goalscoring forward this summer, and Ramos would be a solid fit. Experienced in a 4-2-3-1 system, perhaps United are targeting the wrong young striker to ease their goal woes...
Randal Kolo Muani - Eintracht Frankfurt
Only two players registered double figures for both goals and assists in the Bundesliga last season - Bayern Munich youngster Jamal Musiala and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani. The Frenchman struck 15 times in Germany's top tier last term, and provided an additional 11 assists for teammates. No wonder he's a man in demand this summer.
As is well known, Erik ten Hag wants his forwards to help pressure defences, and Kolo Muani fits the bill. Indeed, only Joshua Kimmich (38) won possession in the attacking third more times than the 24-year-old (32) in the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign, and given an inclination to pull wide, too, the France international could be the perfect fit for Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Florian Wirtz - Bayer Leverkusen
A slighty left field choice, Florian Wirtz is better suited in a role behind the strikers, but was used as the frontman on a handful of occasions last term. Bayer Leverkusen would be reluctant to losing the Germany international, who made a superb return to action at the turn of the year following a serious knee injury.
While Wirtz scored just the once in the Bundesliga last season, providing six assists in the process, the 20-year-old's two best rated performances in Germany's top tier both came from starts in attack. Able to successfully drive at defences when in possession and pry them apart with his expert vision, Wirtz could prove the perfect foil for United's widemen given his penchant for getting on the ball between the opposition midfield and backline, and then maximising a WhoScored strength of 'key passes' to wreak havoc in the final third.
