Rasmus Hojlund’s asking price of £60.2 million from Atalanta has derailed Erik ten Hag’s search for a new striker.
Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo departed Manchester United amicably in November of last year, Ten Hag has been searching for a new striker. Burnley loaned out Wout Weghorst, who was eventually returned to his original team after failing to score in the Premier League.
Hojlund, 20, is thought to be Ten Hag’s top pick, but United are unwilling to pay that much for a striker who is still relatively inexperienced. In his first season at Atalanta, the Danish international scored a respectable nine Serie A goals.
It’s tough to see how Ten Hag solves United’s striker problem given that players like Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen are also proving to be too expensive. But the equation is not insurmountable. Ten Hag has five options for responding to his most recent striker defeat.rely on MartialIt’s hard to believe that eight years have passed since United and Monaco reached a £58 million agreement that made Anthony Martial the most expensive youngster on the planet. Since then, he’s only showed glimmers of his talent, but many think he can still develop into a player of the highest caliber.
Ten Hag unquestionably has faith in Martial. During the Dutchman’s first season in charge, he was United’s first-choice striker, moving up the lineup from Weghorst to Ronaldo. However, the 27-year-old was only able to make 29 appearances across all competitions due to injuries.Even though Martial is unpredictable, he can occasionally be a top center-forward. Going into the next season with just one established striker would be a significant gamblҽ, but Ten Hag may be compҽlled to do so if United is unable to find success in the transfer market.
Rashford at Number 9The greatest player on the United team, Marcus Rashford, dedicated his future to the team on Monday by agreeing to a new five-year contract. In all competitions last season, he scored 30 club goals, but much of his success came from playing on the left flank.
Rashford, 25, might be used in a central position by Ten Hag, but doing so would be risky given how well he played last year. With Antony, Jadon Sancho, Facundo Pellistri, Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Elanga, and the returning Amad, the United manager has a wide range of options for wingers.
It would be a sensible experiment to play Rashford or one of United’s other wingers through the middle during preseason. Perhaps it’s time to experiment a little.Keep placing bidsWhy not just keep making offers for Hojlund if he is the man Ten Hag wants? According to reports, United are willing to spend up to £50 million on the rising star, which isn’t all that much less than Atalanta’s (relatively speaking) asking price.
There doesn’t seem to be another striker on Ten Hag’s shortlist who is more reasonably priced. If so, United should just keep trying to break Atalanta’s will. Although the Italians are currently asking for £60.2 million for him, there is still time for them to lower their asking price.
Attend to KaneKane is, in my opinion, United’s ideal striker. The England captain, who turns 30 this month, scored 30 Premier League goals in the previous campaign. He is a reliable provider of goals and assists and doesn’t appear to be slowing down, ιnjury allowing.
With only one year left on his Tottenham contract, Kane is solely interested in being transferred to Bayern Munich, who have previously had two offers for him turned down. Waiting a year to see whether Kane becomes available would be worthwhile for United.
Despite the fαct that Greenwood is no longer charged with a crime, he hasn’t started training again and won’t be taking part in their preseason tour of the United States. He still has two years left on his contract, and United is currently looking into the matter internally.
United must make a crucial choice. One of Europe’s most talented young forwards would be lost if Greenwood were released. Due to the seriousness of the accusations made against him, it is understandable that they may experience blowback if they decide to keep him.
It’s a difficult choice, and Ten Hag probably won’t have to make it.