That would mean a total overhaul of our attack, since all three of Auba, Silva and Griezmann will want to be first team starters. Given that Zlatan seems to be recovering fine, I got a feeling that Jose won't mind holding on to Rashford and Martial as our strikers till Zlatan is back, which I feel will be before the end of the year since his recovery seems to be rapid. Even if we got a striker, I can see someone who is a bit older and will not mind being on the bench that much. Zlatan will then be given the rest of the year to train and recover with us while he is recuperating, but also be out of contract at that time. I don't think his ego will allow him to collect all that salary will not playing. This arrangement will mean that Rashford and Martial will still have plenty of chances to improve, while having the experience of Zlatan to help them. As for the back-up striker, is there anyone out there who is reliable and out of contract soon? Can only think of Defoe.
IF Zlatan or the club announces that he will not be with us any longer, then I can see us going for a striker as you mentioned, like Auba, Belotti, Lukaku or Moratta. However, I still think that Rashford can develop into a top player, and hope that he is given the best chance to do so. It will also signal a slightly different playing style from the "Classic Jose" striker and playing style since Rashford and Martial are not really the kind of strikers one would associate with Jose.
Anyway, not going for a striker will mean we have more funds for other parts of the team, hence I don't think it will be surprising if we get 2 out of a mix of James/Silva/Griezmann. We cannot rely on Lingard to be a starter, Mata is 29 and lacks that bit of pace and strength Jose likes, though I think he should stay for more options for us, Mkhi still blows hot and cold, Martial and Rashford seem to be best suited to being a striker.
