Let's talk strikers: who do we buy and why?

[Insanity]

Isak is the dream.

I wouldn't mind Mateta, but he won't be anything more than a stopgap.

 

[gregor]

We don't have unlimited funds and probably won't attract top players anymore, so we should look for some strikers from mid/lower table clubs in the top 5 leagues. Someone who already has a good goal-scoring record and also still has room for improvement. And let's say for less than 40mio because we have other areas to improve too.

 

[FrankWhite]

We have so many needs, 6 players minimum need to come in. As poor as Hojlund is, I believe improving the positions around the ST is just as important if not more so. I really like the look of Delap, scored a proper poacher's goal against Villa past weekend. I like Samu as well, but I just think we need a grown man ahead of Hojlund. Someone who will read the Garnacho's and Amads the riot act if they don't pass the ball.
It appears Gyokeres is off the table, Osimhen is probably who I'd go for. If we cannot get him then I would go in for the one of former two.

 

[Shaw's Shank Redemption]

Use Jonathan David as our more experienced striker and then buy Delap for cheap.

Let Delap take Hojlund's position.

If David flops we can sell him for a profit in 2 years time by which time Delap would have grown a bit.

I'd keep Zirkzee as a False 9 option.

This is if we can't afford Osimhen or Gyokeres of course because I honestly think we just need a top quality striker to get us in that top 6 area again.

 

[SER19]

Jonathan David on a free must be being considered at least. Has hit 20+ for 4 seasons running, and has 15 in 38 in CL which is a good record for a lille striker.

 

[Shunty]

Why is this even a discussion? Our strikers get zero service so we could have prime pele or R9 up there! It would not make any difference whatsoever.

 

[soapythecat]

Why is this even a discussion? Our strikers get zero service so we could have prime pele or R9 up there! It would not make any difference whatsoever.

Such a poor take. Højlund has had plenty of service but can’t control the ball or hold it up. If we had a player who could do the front man basics we would be a better attacking team.
We aren’t a team that creates a lot of crosses so need a forward who can create space and feed others before been set up. Hojlund has shown he’s not capable in this position.

 

[MaMa given red]

Being completely realistic it's likely to be something like Liam Delap and maybe Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free, although I think he may go to Newcastle.

Unless we get Champions League football we won't have the financial power or the attractiveness to get some of the bigger names that people want.

 

[MaMa given red]

Jonathan David on a free must be being considered at least. Has hit 20+ for 4 seasons running, and has 15 in 38 in CL which is a good record for a lille striker.

I think he will go to Barcelona.

 

[tidraKS]

Assuming Gyokeres is not on the menu and Osimhen has unmatchable wage demands, we may have to settle for either an affordable striker with experience or young upcoming striker (Hojlund paradox)

Costly Experienced:
1. Victor Boniface

Affordable Experienced:
1. El Neysri
2. David

Costly Young
1. Delap
2. Ekitike
3. Samu

His name is En-Nesyri, which means you never watched him play.

 

[kanobbk]

I know this is a 'striker' based thread but a player I really like the look of is Charles De Ketalaere from Atalanta. He mainly plays in the '10' role but can also play as a CF if needed. He would fit right into Ruben's system imo, incredibly talented and also fits our new ethos of signing young players.

Highlights Video

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

David on a free & Delap

 

[userman]

Would the Caf consider signing Jonathan David and Calvert-Lewin on “free transfers” as an upgrade to Hojlund and Zirkzee?
Personally I’m tempted to say that I would..

Perhaps sending Hojlund on loan to see if he can regain confidence, develop, and be considered an option for the future/increase his value.

 

[SER19]

I think he will go to Barcelona.

Would be a shame. We were here with guirassy last year who many turned their noses up at. We'd do well to remember that we aren't signing mbappe any time soon and that we don't have players who know where the goal is. Guirassy now banging them in in CL too after being bought for a steal

 

[SER19]

Would the Caf consider signing Jonathan David and Calvert-Lewin on “free transfers” as an upgrade to Hojlund and Zirkzee?
Personally I’m tempted to say that I would..

Perhaps sending Hojlund on loan to see if he can regain confidence, develop, and be considered an option for the future/increase his value.

Not calvert lewin, in a million years

 

[Bwuk]

Jonathan Davids name has been mentioned for years and the fact no side has went for him makes me think he's probably not all that.

Other than the obvious names like Gyokeres etc, I think it'd be worth looking at Maeda from Celtic as an option (even off the bench). Depending on the fee but he'd be a quality squad player. I've never seen anyone like him with his pace/pressing. I wouldn't be hugely surprised if he scores against Bayern again tonight.

 

[DannyCAFC]

Would the Caf consider signing Jonathan David and Calvert-Lewin on “free transfers” as an upgrade to Hojlund and Zirkzee?
Personally I’m tempted to say that I would..

Perhaps sending Hojlund on loan to see if he can regain confidence, develop, and be considered an option for the future/increase his value.

DCL had the worst goals vs xG number in the league last season according to FBref and currently has the worst this season. Which statistically you could argue makes him the worst finisher in the entire PL.

 

[nazanto]

Wilson Isidor from Sunderland would be my wildcard pick. A very good finisher

These are the types of players we should be looking at. Let's be real, we’re a broke ass club. There’s no way we’re getting players like Osimhen or Gyökeres.

I can’t say for certain, but surely there are plenty of strikers in the lower leagues or lesser-known leagues who could come in and score a few goals. We’ve seen it before. Remember Amr Zaky? Michu? Even guys like Papis Cissé and Ighalo (when he was at Watford, not his short stint with us) made an instant impact when given a chance. Chicharito did well for us, and I yearn for that kind of signing again.

 

[Xeque_279]

Mateta
Not a solution but an improvement and something to build on. Feels like a relatively safe bet and shouldn't be outrageously expensive with a year left on his contract.
I'd rather say isak or a better striker but there aren't many and it seems we cant afford them.

Damn, didn't know he's only 27.

 

[Hammondo]

Honestly I think we will be going youngster who is unproven.

 

[Xeque_279]

Would the Caf consider signing Jonathan David and Calvert-Lewin on “free transfers” as an upgrade to Hojlund and Zirkzee?
Personally I’m tempted to say that I would..

Perhaps sending Hojlund on loan to see if he can regain confidence, develop, and be considered an option for the future/increase his value.

No and no.

David has never looked good whenever I've seen him play, which is not much I'll be honest but even his highlight reel looks so unimpressive? He does have the numbers on his side though. DCL is perma crocked and has such erratic finishing.

 

[DonBecks]

Why is this even a discussion? Our strikers get zero service so we could have prime pele or R9 up there! It would not make any difference whatsoever.

You might have got away with this point of view last season but Hojlund has been absolutely mince and Zirkzee is not a striker. At the very least though, Zirkzee brings others into the game.

Our lack of a goal scoring striker is absolutely a massive problem. Our current crop couldn't finish their dinner. Actually, worse than that, they just don't have goalscorers instincts.

 

[LukeTheRed]

If we can get Mateta for like 30-40 million I’d definitely be up for it.

He is proven in the league.. bullies CBs and can hold the ball up well.

He puts maximum effort in each game which our players could learn from

 

[msjmohd83]

Why is this even a discussion? Our strikers get zero service so we could have prime pele or R9 up there! It would not make any difference whatsoever.

R9 don't need service, just pass the ball to him and he will do the rest

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

Jonathan David on a free must be being considered at least. Has hit 20+ for 4 seasons running, and has 15 in 38 in CL which is a good record for a lille striker.

I think David would be a sensible signing provided his wage demands aren't extortionate but worth noting that a lot of his goal tallies are heavily skewed by pens. Scored 10 in one season. Still probably a 1 in 2 striker over the course of his career which is significantly better than what we have.

I've seen people mention Delap but that is one I'd be ultra cautious of. Don't think he'd come cheap at all and like Hojlund, he just doesn't get half enough shots off. He's over-performing his xG by a good bit too. Nice player and has some fight in him but there's definitely a few red flags especially when money is tight.

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

It bothers me that we are ignoring this area. Or signing projects.

Every great United team has had world class strikers. Ferguson always made sure he had them. When city pipped us to the league, he reacted by getting Van Persie (and then won it)

Can’t work out why we’re dancing around Ighalo, Wegshit etc. Just get some world class forwards in and we’ll take a huge leap.

But I’ve said this years and we always end up signing Mount or De Ligt instead for no reason

Bit simplistic though, no. Every club would love to sign world class forwards if its that easy but 1. There's a dearth of forwards at peak ages probably because academies bought into false 9s influenced by Pep and Messi; 2. Inflation and wealth across PL clubs - can't just pick up the Isaks, Durans and Mbeumos for 10mn and the promise of a loan of Tyler Fredriccson and Victor Musa for.a season and 3. we seem to be absolutely skint.

 

[MaMa given red]

Mateta is an interesting idea. If we could get him for around £35m and 100k a week I think he'd offer good value for a few years at least. He's already scored more goals at Old Trafford than most of our forwards this year!

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Bit simplistic though, no. Every club would love to sign world class forwards if its that easy but 1. There's a dearth of forwards at peak ages probably because academies bought into false 9s influenced by Pep and Messi; 2. Inflation and wealth across PL clubs - can't just pick up the Isaks, Durans and Mbeumos for 10mn and the promise of a loan of Tyler Fredriccson and Victor Musa for.a season and 3. we seem to be absolutely skint.

Agree. Arsenal have been looking for a striker for some time. I think most teams in the PL are searching there just is not anyone out there!

 

[Frostie]

Cunha at Wolves. Everytime I watch him I'm really impressed with him, has a real touch of class about his play, gets in really good positions, fast although not rapid, tall, strong, good passer of the ball, very good finisher, can take a man on. Way, way too good to be at Wolves next season. He stands out a mile whenever I watch them play, head and shoulders above everyone else on his team.

He'd excel in an SS role with Hojlund in front of him I think. Stick him on the wing when options are limited also.

He's also shown he can hack it in the PL. Someone like Osimhen might not, and Gyokeres couldn't even get a game at Brighton apart from in the cups. I'd be wary of both of them stepping up a level, especially the latter who I definitely see as a big fish, small pond player. Doing it for Coventry and Sporting Lisbon is totally different to doing it for Manchester United.

 

[the_cliff]

Amoura and Cunha would transform our attack.

Amoura will probably end up at Arsenal/Liverpool tbh.

 

[iKnowNothing]

If it’s a few years of rebuild and get the team to be consistently top 4, with little cash, then we should be looking at only premier league proven players. Any other league will be a bigger risk.

Hunker down, get a stop gap upgrade on the current set of players for 3-4 years and then aim a level higher.

We should be looking at incremental upgrades and nothing more.

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

Why is this even a discussion? Our strikers get zero service so we could have prime pele or R9 up there! It would not make any difference whatsoever.

That line of reasoning abdicates all responsibility from the forward as if he wasn't a huge factor in the dysfunctional forward line. He's never where he should be, doesn't make near post runs, takes no shots, doesn't try to beat his man and can't trap or lay off the ball. He's 6'3 and has he even scored a header from a corner since joining the club?

I remember thinking something similar before we signed Cavani a few years ago and then Cavani played his first few games and all of a sudden, the chances started coming again. Hojlund will probably come good in his mid-20s but I just can't see him lasting that long with us which is a shame as he's a genuine fan of the club since he was a kid and he seems pretty mature.

 

[CallyRed]

Wout Wout, its the sound of da police

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Bit simplistic though, no. Every club would love to sign world class forwards if its that easy but 1. There's a dearth of forwards at peak ages probably because academies bought into false 9s influenced by Pep and Messi; 2. Inflation and wealth across PL clubs - can't just pick up the Isaks, Durans and Mbeumos for 10mn and the promise of a loan of Tyler Fredriccson and Victor Musa for.a season and 3. we seem to be absolutely skint.

Not really. Over a decade of not really trying. Have they even tried to get a top class forward since Lukaku?

Rare opportunity to sign Harry Kane comes up. Club don't even have the ambition to try. Do you think the club under Ferguson passes that up? Not a chance

Last 5 transfer windows its been incredibly obvious they need a top class goalscoring forward and yet they'll consistently prioritise defenders and midfielders. It'll be the same this summer. Our first major signing will not be a forward. Even if it is, it'll be another Zirkzee type with no record of goalscoring

It absolutely blows my mind that these millionaires in charge of this are doing a worse job than I could do. And that they can't see a very obvious problem. It's like a pilot not knowing what a cloud or wind is.

 

[Infra-red]

Jonathan Davids name has been mentioned for years and the fact no side has went for him makes me think he's probably not all that.

He's not perfect and wouldn't be my first choice (all things being equal) but United would be crazy not to try for him, given that he's a reliable goalscorer and out of contract. I suspect he'll have better offers elsewhere, though.

 

[tslklang]

need a proven goal scorer in asap in the summer. And that's Osimhen. Thought we could get Kolo Muani loan until summer to see if he can cut it at EPL, I am sure he is better player than Hojlund. Already scored couples goals and assist since loan to Juve

 

[renatosanches85]

If we can get Mateta for like 30-40 million I’d definitely be up for it.

He is proven in the league.. bullies CBs and can hold the ball up well.

He puts maximum effort in each game which our players could learn from

He has legs like Varane, therefore, I’m out.

 

[renatosanches85]

Jonathan Davids name has been mentioned for years and the fact no side has went for him makes me think he's probably not all that.

Other than the obvious names like Gyokeres etc, I think it'd be worth looking at Maeda from Celtic as an option (even off the bench). Depending on the fee but he'd be a quality squad player. I've never seen anyone like him with his pace/pressing. I wouldn't be hugely surprised if he scores against Bayern again tonight.

People said the same on here about Thuram on a free. Ask Inter fans what they think of him.

 

[aeh1991]

Amoura and Cunha would transform our attack.

Amoura will probably end up at Arsenal/Liverpool tbh.

Amoura is not that good yet and it would be best if he plays another season in Germany to develop like Marmoush.

 

[SonOfFergie]

Take a leaf out of Mourinho's book. Get a good African striker.