As the new season approaches, Manchester United might once again need to depend on a young striker with limited Premier League experience. Last season, Rasmus Hojlund was overused, prompting Erik ten Hag to rely heavily on him.
To address this, Joshua Zirkzee was acquired early in the transfer window as an additional striking option. The Glazers did not provide Ten Hag with support during the summer or January transfer windows, forcing him to continue using Hojlund due to Anthony Martial’s persistent injuries and Marcus Rashford’s poor form.
Although INEOS recognized the attacking line as a weakness and signed the former Bologna player, Hojlund’s expected six-week absence now puts the team back in a similar predicament.
**Another Striker Shortage**
Although the manager has noted that Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho can play as a false nine, Marcus Rashford prefers the left wing, making this arrangement less ideal for them. Manchester United had been discussing the possibility of adding another striker, with Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin being considered.
According to The Peoples Person, Toney would be a viable option if Brentford reduces their asking price to below £40 million. Currently, Brentford is seeking £50 million, a figure they might not achieve given that Toney’s contract runs until 2025. Despite interest from several clubs, Football Insider reports that United is contemplating a late bid for Toney, provided the terms are met.
The Englishman is a proven striker in the Premier League who excels at playing with his back to goal, a skill lacking in United’s current forwards.
According to Football Insider, Manchester United is preparing a last-minute offer for Brentford striker Ivan Toney. Toney is on United’s shortlist as they seek an experienced center-forward. Given the team’s lack of a reliable senior striker, Erik ten Hag is pushing for the acquisition of a top-level frontman.
If United decides to bid for Toney and agree to his high salary demands, they would need to make several significant sales, which seems unlikely at this point. Much will depend on United’s performance at the start of the season; a poor showing could prompt INEOS to intervene.
