Manchester United are giving serious consideration to the prospect of not signing a recognised striker, instead bolstering the team’s frontline with versatile forwards according to a new report.
There is little doubt that United’s attacking ranks need to be boosted. The Europa League finalists may have racked up seven goals across two legs of their semi-final against Athletic Club, but Ruben Amorim’s side have been painfully toothless domestically.
United have scored just 42 top-flight goals, fewer than 14 other teams in the division. For comparison, fellow continental victors and Premier League strugglers Tottenham Hotspur boast 63 goals this season.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have scored just seven times in the league between them – a tally top scorer Bruno Fernandes can only narrowly better (eight). Yet, rather than recruit another out-and-out No 9, The Athletic‘s David Ornstein claims that it is “plausible” United go in search of multiple unorthodox forwards this summer.
Matheus Cunha is widely expected to arrive at Old Trafford once United trigger the £62.5m release clause thought to be in his Wolverhampton Wanderers contract. Ornstein also names Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth and Southampton starlet Tyler Dibling as candidates to fill the brief of a more mobile frontline.
United are thought to be ramping up their interest in Mbeumo, although the prolific Premier League forward is not short of suitors. Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United are all credited with interest in a versatile player worth in the region of £60m.
Semenyo could cost even more – Bournemouth are expected to push for a club-record sum in excess of £65m – and is also being chased by a fleet of Premier League rivals.
Dibling boasts the least experience of the aforementioned targets yet could feasibly command the highest price. Already relegated Southampton are thought to be demanding £100m for their academy gem. Rather than be put off by that eye-watering sum for a player who only boasts one season of senior football, United are thought to be willing to pursue a deal if they qualify for the Champions League.
