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

[croadyman]

Delap seems the most obvious and gettable if Ipswich (more like when, but still) go down. He's league proven, he's a good profile and sadly not a massive step up right now - sure with pressure, but we don't have very lofty targets right now.

I think that makes us a very good option, as he'll pretty much instantly start or if not, get a tonne of minutes. We could likely pay him more than others too.

Yeah expect him to be the most realistic target

 

[aeh1991]

If we sign Viktor Gyökeres it will be a mess, so get in Delap plus we need Mount and Shaw back ASAP.

Let's bet that they won't play more than 10 games next season. We just should get rid of them if possible.

 

[croadyman]

If we sign Viktor Gyökeres it will be a mess, so get in Delap plus we need Mount and Shaw back ASAP.

Why would it be a mess, not that I think it will ever actually happen anyway

 

[Red in STL]

Can’t believe we missed out on Toney. Was easy to get aswell. I’d take Gyokeres as first choice as he already knows the system and he’s built for the prem. he’ll be up for the physical battle. I think we also need another ST but that will depend on offloading Zirkzee or Hojlund.

What makes you think Toney is/was the answer?

Take his penalties out he was not a prolific goal scorer and as this was his last big contract he wanted big money, then there's his gambling issue, he isn't and never was the answer

 

[croadyman]

Let's bet that they won't play more than 10 games next season. We just should get rid of them if possible.

Who is going to take a risk on injured players

 

[aeh1991]

Who is going to take a risk on injured players

Maybe a loan or something. I don't know. I guess we need a miracle

 

[croadyman]

Maybe a loan or something. I don't know. I guess we need a miracle

Yeah we need one both on and off the pitch, would be staggered if we could sell either

 

[DJ_21]

What makes you think Toney is/was the answer?

Take his penalties out he was not a prolific goal scorer and as this was his last big contract he wanted big money, then there's his gambling issue, he isn't and never was the answer

Hojlund and zirkzee aren’t the answer. Toney bags us more goals than them 2 with his eyes closed. Maybe he isn’t the answer but we need at least 2 ST that can rotate and Toney is better than both of them. The other ST should be Gyokeres or Osimhen.

 

[croadyman]

Hojlund and zirkzee aren’t the answer. Toney bags us more goals than them 2 with his eyes closed. Maybe he isn’t the answer but we need at least 2 ST that can rotate and Toney is better than both of them. The other ST should be Gyokeres or Osimhen.

Ideally one of those two or Delap and should get David too as he is free agent in summer

 

[Red in STL]

Hojlund and zirkzee aren’t the answer. Toney bags us more goals than them 2 with his eyes closed. Maybe he isn’t the answer but we need at least 2 ST that can rotate and Toney is better than both of them. The other ST should be Gyokeres or Osimhen.

I know that our current strikers aren't the answer, but the cost of what Toney was after in wages wasn't the answer either, thrre's a reason why he now plays in Saudi, no other club in the PL would sign him on his demands, not even Arsenal who were almost as desparate as we are

 

[DJ_21]

Ideally one of those two or Delap and should get David too as he is free agent in summer

Agreed. David should be a no brainer since he’s free and I’d imagine he’ll be on reasonable wages.

 

[DJ_21]

I know that our current strikers aren't the answer, but the cost of what Toney was after in wages wasn't the answer either, thrre's a reason why he now plays in Saudi, no other club in the PL would sign him on his demands, not even Arsenal who were almost as desparate as we are

Fair enough mate. Didn’t realise he wanted ridiculous wages but makes sense why he went to Saudi.

 

[AdNani]

Because we’re looking for a striker that can improve our goal threat through better finishing, positioning, movement and hold up play - not penalties, for which we already have one of the best around in Fernandes.

Not saying they are completely irrelevant, but when 50% of a strikers goals are pens you can’t just overlook that.

Fair enough.

 

[Marwood]

Can’t believe we missed out on Toney. Was easy to get aswell. I’d take Gyokeres as first choice as he already knows the system and he’s built for the prem. he’ll be up for the physical battle. I think we also need another ST but that will depend on offloading Zirkzee or Hojlund.

Would Toney be impossible now?

 

[Red in STL]

Would Toney be impossible now?

He earns about 400K a week so yes and he isn't a particilarly prolific goal scorer when you take away penalties either

 

[Ace Krampus]

Who is going to take a risk on injured players

We are

 

[Marwood]

He earns about 400K a week so yes and he isn't a particilarly prolific goal scorer when you take away penalties either

If prolific goalscorer is a must the list will be very short and unobtainable.

This whole discussion really is who is the best of the non prolific goalscorers. That's our market unless we pull off a miracle.

You never know. Toney might feel he's earned wedge and is ready to play proper football again. It's happened before in Saudi football hasn't it.

 

[FerociousCorgis]

watching delap a bit last game i liked his desire and intensity with the ball. Wanted to get on the ball, turn up field, and get a shot off. Was refreshing to see.

 

[Red in STL]

If prolific goalscorer is a must the list will be very short and unobtainable.

This whole discussion really is who is the best of the non prolific goalscorers. That's our market unless we pull off a miracle.

You never know. Toney might feel he's earned wedge and is ready to play proper football again. It's happened before in Saudi football hasn't it.

He's not taking a 50% pay cut which is what he'd have to do, he's not made enough yet to set himself and his family up for life, and even if he really wanted to come back he's more likely to choose Arsenal or Chelsea than us

 

[Squeaky_Bum_Time]

How often are forwards moving between PL clubs and having a good impact? Of the top of my head, Solanke, Neto, Nketiah, Richarlison, and Minteh come to mind, and it's a mixed bag. When I have more time, I'd like to specifically look into the last 10 Delap-type moves (upward move for a striker within the PL) and see what that track record looks like.

 

[TwoSheds]

Mbeumo would do alright here I reckon and he's versatile too. Wissa would also be an upgrade on what we have. I don't think we should be going after them unless it's a good price though, I'm sure there's better deals around Europe or South America than that. Wouldn't mind Delap though, he looks handy enough.

 

[croadyman]

watching delap a bit last game i liked his desire and intensity with the ball. Wanted to get on the ball, turn up field, and get a shot off. Was refreshing to see.

Well he will have an audition on Wednesday night

 

[Ceteris]

We cannot buy a striker in isolation, we need to fix our 10s

We need to fix our lwb and also get legs the midfield.

Then we can buy the striker to suit how the manager wants to play.

 

[croadyman]

Mbeumo would do alright here I reckon and he's versatile too. Wissa would also be an upgrade on what we have. I don't think we should be going after them unless it's a good price though, I'm sure there's better deals around Europe or South America than that. Wouldn't mind Delap though, he looks handy enough.

Wouldn't mind looking around South America for a backup ST, hopefully loan out Rasmus because he needs some development elsewhere

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

Oh I know he’d never come.

But it’s more the point of when it comes to the striker position I do not know a single “big” club that was able to cheap out and have a top quality forward. Arsenal don’t have one, can’t win the league. City have Haaland, Liverpool have Salah (but can’t find a CF on the cheaper at the level of others), Lewandowski, Kane etc all cost a lot to get relative to what they were.

Sesko is the only one of those I look at and see a technical and physical level that I could see becoming world class. The others have the physical but not the rest and I’m not sure how much we can wait and hope to develop someone under our current circumstances.

I think Ekitike is the other forward that has the skillset to explode as he matures. Can run, can dribble and finish.

 

[Bon1803]

Interested to see how Delap performs tonight. He carries a reasonable goal threat but I think his hold up play could really help us.

 

[northernsoul74]

Is Delap any better than Evan Ferguson? I thought Ferguson looked the real deal last season and I’d be worried that Delap goes a similar way. In saying that both are currently better then Hjolund but is that good enough to get us to where we want to go?

 

[stefan92]

I think Ekitike is the other forward that has the skillset to explode as he matures. Can run, can dribble and finish.

At the moment Sesko and Ekitike are essentially at the same level. However Ekitike is a year older already.

 

[Bobski]

Delap has something, decent burst with the ball, a bit lacking in ideas after that though. Severe knob tendencies as well. Worth watching to see how he develops but would be a punt at a high price to bring him in now.

 

[ErikElevenHag]

Is Delap any better than Evan Ferguson? I thought Ferguson looked the real deal last season and I’d be worried that Delap goes a similar way. In saying that both are currently better then Hjolund but is that good enough to get us to where we want to go?

Ferguson has a record as bad as hojlund. He would be a terrible buy

 

[croadyman]

Delap has something, decent burst with the ball, a bit lacking in ideas after that though. Severe knob tendencies as well. Worth watching to see how he develops but would be a punt at a high price to bring him in now.

Would be a decent price when they get relegated

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

At the moment Sesko and Ekitike are essentially at the same level. However Ekitike is a year older already.

Ekitike’s scoring rate is higher (marginally) but if you look at their fbref profiles, he’s way more complete in terms of passing and carrying. He just seems more of an athlete to me and takes way more shots.

 

[golden_blunder]

Fair enough mate. Didn’t realise he wanted ridiculous wages but makes sense why he went to Saudi.

He also cost them 50m so it wouldn’t be as a secondary striker for us.

 

[golden_blunder]

Delap has something, decent burst with the ball, a bit lacking in ideas after that though. Severe knob tendencies as well. Worth watching to see how he develops but would be a punt at a high price to bring him in now.

I’ve watched him in a few games. Does the basics well but not sure he’s gonna carry the United attack on his own

 

[red_de_pologne]

Can people stop suggesting David, just because he’s free. There’s a reason no big club is interested.

 

[DannyCAFC]

Yeah Mateta can score goals and is strong centrally. Nothing spectacular but seems like an upgrade on Zirkzee/Hojlund.

Is Palace a selling club though ? I remember it took Zaha years to finally get a move.

The issue with Zaha I believe was probably the 25% sell-on clause United had. Seemed like it was better value for them to hold onto him through his prime years rather than effectively sell him well under market value given they'd only pocket 75% of the fee, plus contractually they managed to always have him tied down long-term.

Mateta's current deal is up in 2026, so with a year left come the summer (if he doesn't extend before then obviously) they might be tempted with a decent offer.

Ekitike’s scoring rate is higher (marginally) but if you look at their fbref profiles, he’s way more complete in terms of passing and carrying. He just seems more of an athlete to me and takes way more shots.

I think possibly the concern is that Ekitike's already had a crack at an elite club with PSG and made zero impact. Granted he was young, but it's a potential blight on his record.

Ferguson has a record as bad as hojlund. He would be a terrible buy

That's not true, he's just perma-crocked and barely plays.

 

[Desert Eagle]

I like the look of this Ekitike fella. Has pace and technique. The kind of striker that would flourish in the PL.

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

I think possibly the concern is that Ekitike's already had a crack at an elite club with PSG and made zero impact. Granted he was young, but it's a potential blight on his record.

Mate, we're in a relegation battle. Nothing about this club is in anyway elite anymore apart from our incompetence. Not making it at the likes of PSG is no great sin especially when you look at the players he was competing with. Kolo Muani couldn't get a game and now he's looking world class for Juve. What I like about him are that the fundamentals are really good and he was scoring at a 2 goals every 3 games pace in a middling team in the french league when he was only 19. He can kind of do a bit of everything in that he's fast, he can beat his man, can finish well and is a decent passer too. I also think his movement is very good which is so crucial when you see how our strikers are phobic to the ball in the box. Can't count the amount of times I've seen Hojlund be a few inches short of a tap in and Zirkzee just doesn't even approach the last line.

 

[DannyCAFC]

Mate, we're in a relegation battle. Nothing about this club is in anyway elite anymore apart from our incompetence. Not making it at the likes of PSG is no great sin especially when you look at the players he was competing with. Kolo Muani couldn't get a game and now he's looking world class for Juve. What I like about him are that the fundamentals are really good and he was scoring at a 2 goals every 3 games pace in a middling team in the french league when he was only 19. He can kind of do a bit of everything in that he's fast, he can beat his man, can finish well and is a decent passer too. I also think his movement is very good which is so crucial when you see how our strikers are phobic to the ball in the box. Can't count the amount of times I've seen Hojlund be a few inches short of a tap in and Zirkzee just doesn't even approach the last line.

Big club, elite club - call it what you want. The pressure of playing for United is as high if not higher than PSG regardless of the performance levels.

I'm just saying that might be an indication of where he's at mentally, but we won't really know I guess until he gets that opportunity again.

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

Big club, elite club - call it what you want. The pressure of playing for United is as high if not higher than PSG regardless of the performance levels.

I'm just saying that might be an indication of where he's at mentally, but we won't really know I guess until he gets that opportunity again.

Yeah, might be the case but I personally think he was just young and there was literal all time greats ahead of him in the pecking order. Wouldn't necessarily hold it against him as not being able to cope at United. Had the character to leave PSG where I'm sure he was earning a fat wedge to get playing time at a lesser club that has a good rep for helping strikers perform. I do reckon Frankfurt would probably be looking for too much for us to consider but I think Hojlund plus 20mn would be a good outcome for all parties.