Which striker in the summer?

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There are plenty of alternatives:

Jackson Martinez from Porto
28 years old
Strong + Pace
92 goals from his last 132 games (0.69 goals per match)

Edinson Cavani from PSG
28 years old
Strong + Pace
94 goals from his last 134 games (0.67 goals per match) + he has been forced to play more on the wing at PSG to accomodate for Ibrahimovic as main striker but at Napoli when he was the main man he was a consistent 30+ goals a season striker

Christian Benteke from Aston Villa
24 years old
Strong (perfect target man and PL proven)
49 goals in 99 games (0.5 goals per match)

Mauro Icardi from Inter
22 years old
Strong + Pace
Breakthrough season this year and he scored 27 goals from 48 games (0.56 goals per match)

Mario Mandzukic from Atlético Madrid
29 years old
Strong (hardworker and perfect target man)
68 goals from 130 games (0.52 goals per match)

Carlos Bacca from Sevilla
29 year old
Pace
49 goals from 106 games (0.46 goals per match)

Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli
27 years old
Strong
53 goals in 102 games (0.52 goals per match)

Some ok options but none get me particularly excited. I'd prefer to play Hernandez than half of those.
 
Your realistic options for a new striker appear to be limited, whilst the need seems to be great. I'm not sure how you'll successfully bridge this gap without throwing an absurd sum of money at the problem.
Well there isn't a great deal of quality atm it seems, not many top strikers around. At least we have the money if someone is available and we should at least be stronger in other areas of the pitch wich we'll benfit from.
 
Looking at that list of strikers I can't see any on it that I'd want us to buy, Bacca is probably the cheapest and most willing to sit on the bench so I guess if RvP leaves then he'd be the best choice of that lot.
 
There are plenty of alternatives:

Jackson Martinez from Porto
28 years old
Strong + Pace
92 goals from his last 132 games (0.69 goals per match)

Edinson Cavani from PSG
28 years old
Strong + Pace
94 goals from his last 134 games (0.67 goals per match) + he has been forced to play more on the wing at PSG to accomodate for Ibrahimovic as main striker but at Napoli when he was the main man he was a consistent 30+ goals a season striker

Christian Benteke from Aston Villa
24 years old
Strong (perfect target man and PL proven)
49 goals in 99 games (0.5 goals per match)

Mauro Icardi from Inter
22 years old
Strong + Pace
Breakthrough season this year and he scored 27 goals from 48 games (0.56 goals per match)

Mario Mandzukic from Atlético Madrid
29 years old
Strong (hardworker and perfect target man)
68 goals from 130 games (0.52 goals per match)

Carlos Bacca from Sevilla
29 year old
Pace
49 goals from 106 games (0.46 goals per match)

Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli
27 years old
Strong
53 goals in 102 games (0.52 goals per match)

I want us to have a young, dynamic and quick number 9. Jackson, Cavani, Benteke, Mandzukic, Bacca and Higuain all fail in that aspect. Some would be very short term gains (one season only) and some don't match the type of forward we need (Cavani and Benteke).

The only ones on that list are Icardi (though I'm not sold on him) and Higuain. I think Dybala and Lacazette where much better options for us.
 
Benzema is not realistic, he's not going anywhere. Dybala gone to Juve and Lacazette apparently to PSG (Why Lyon?) so that leaves Vietto.

Lacazette isn't signing for PSG, at least there is nothing that seriously suggests that.
 
Lacazette isn't signing for PSG, at least there is nothing that seriously suggests that.

I thought it was confirmed yesterday? Maybe was just the usual transfer bollocks then, we should look to get him.
 
I thought it was confirmed yesterday? Maybe was just the usual transfer bollocks then, we should look to get him.

Confirmed by a twitter account, yesterday Aulas denied and added that the club had a meeting scheduled with Lacazette's agent on the subject of a renewal.
 
I want us to have a young, dynamic and quick number 9. Jackson, Cavani, Benteke, Mandzukic, Bacca and Higuain all fail in that aspect. Some would be very short term gains (one season only) and some don't match the type of forward we need (Cavani and Benteke).

The only ones on that list are Icardi (though I'm not sold on him) and Higuain. I think Dybala and Lacazette where much better options for us.

Bacca is quick and dynamic so I don't really see why he would fail in that aspect. He is not young but why must it be a young striker ?

Also I think Van Gaal is looking for a target man more than a fast dynamic striker. Benteke and Cavani would fit that role perfectly, so would Jackson.

I also would have liked Dybala or Lacazette but if they aren't on the market anymore we have to look for other players.

I also think it is foolish when looking at players to look further than the next 2-3 years. In 2-3 years Van gaal won't be here anymore and our squad will change than anyway. Planning for the future is nice but making sure we start winning some silverware again in the next years is much more important at the moment. A player of 28-29 years old can be of perfect use for us in that respect. I'am all for signing a young talent but if there aren't any available for us that can immediatly do a job upfront than it is better to look at more experienced players.
 
He's 29, I cant see us getting more then 1 maybe 2 years max out of him. Would hate to be in this position again in 2 seasons time.

With someone like Lacazette, we'd be sorted for the next 4/5 seasons.
 
I don't really want us to sign a striker but, if we do, I'd prefer it if the player was mobile and versatile. Look at Barcas front line; they can all play out wide or central and they all have pace and flair.

Obviously we wouldn't get someone of that quality but that style should be the benchmark. Maybe Vietto fits the bill as a Suarez-lite, I don't know. That's the template though.
 
I don't really want us to sign a striker but, if we do, I'd prefer it if the player was mobile and versatile. Look at Barcas front line; they can all play out wide or central and they all have pace and flair.

Obviously we wouldn't get someone of that quality but that style should be the benchmark. Maybe Vietto fits the bill as a Suarez-lite, I don't know. That's the template though.

The problem is that van Gaal's strikers usually aren't suited to play out wide. His striker and winger profile are very different, if Rooney is first choice striker it becomes even more difficult to find a striker who has enough quality to play both. He prefers a typical 9 like a prime van Persie or Lewandowski.

I do think van Gaal wants another option up front next season and it's looking more likely that will be instead of RvP. We've got plenty options out wide in Memphis, Young, Mata, Di Maria and Januzaj. Not to mention Nani and Lingard aswell.
 
The problem is that van Gaal's strikers usually aren't suited to play out wide. His striker and winger profile are very different, if Rooney is first choice striker it becomes even more difficult to find a striker who has enough quality to play both. He prefers a typical 9 like a prime van Persie or Lewandowski.

I do think van Gaal wants another option up front next season and it's looking more likely that will be instead of RvP. We've got plenty options out wide in Memphis, Young, Mata, Di Maria and Januzaj. Not to mention Nani and Lingard aswell.

If he prefers a typical striker then I have no idea who we could get really, there doesn't seem to be many top quality ones about and the few that are seem settled.

If that's the type of player we're looking for we really need to hope Real want to sell Benzema imo.
 
Van Persie's one of the best strikers to ever play in English football, Benteke is pap by comparison. Bizarre post.

He was fantastic in the season we won the league for United after that he has been below par. To help you understand, when Chelsea bought Costa it is possible to say that he could be their best striker since Drogba even though they had Torres who was one of the best striker to play in English football. Even though some will argue Van Persie contribution to Manchester United was greater, than Torres to Chelsea the assumption that because they are the best striker to play in English football should not be used as an excuse in this argument. Benteke as I mentioned before has the time and potential to become a better striker for United than Van Persie who had one fantastic season for us. I already made a comparison towards who United fan think was a better striker for United between Larson and Saha. Opinions will differ but you can understand my perspective through that statement.
 
Lacazette. Benzema is going to stay are Real, and Lacazette is the closet comparable player to Benzema. I would not mind Berahino as a backup to Lacazette, because he is a great finisher.
 
Thomas Müller for me would be a fantastic signing. He knows LVG well, works hard for the team(team player), versatile goal wise and has great intensity to his game. He is still 25 and his best years are ahead of him imo. £40m would get Muller or at least get Bayern thinking about selling. I really don't know who we after up front this summer, it will be interesting.
 
Is the realistic shortlist for a striker being narrowed down to the underwhelming options of, overpaying for Benteke or, swallowing hard & sampling the wrath of RAWK, by signing Charlie Austin?

And we thought RB was the problem.
 
Heard some generic twitter rumours about an offer on the table for Jackson Martinez. One from us and City.....I think he's the type of Stiker we're crying out for. Pace, Strength and great finisher. He'd fit right in the premier league.
 
lots of talk about Firmino joining us. What are the odds LVG rates him as our second choice 9 behind Rooney? With his versatility he would probably still get plenty of games out wide or in the hole. Makes sense if he can play 9 for LVG
 
Heard some generic twitter rumours about an offer on the table for Jackson Martinez. One from us and City.....I think he's the type of Stiker we're crying out for. Pace, Strength and great finisher. He'd fit right in the premier league.
Off to Milan.
 
Manchester United are closing in on the signature of Atletico Madrid ace Mario Mandzukic.

Mandzukic, who joined Atletico last summer from German giants Bayern Munich, is said to be one of Louis van Gaal's main summer targets.

And according to former AC Milan and Croatia midfielder Milan Rapaic, the Atletico hitman is on the brink of joining the Red Devils.

He said: “He’s perfect for any team in any European league.

"It appears to me that he’s very close to Manchester United.”
 
I think Firmino and a young striker would be ideal given the circumstances. With Rooney and Fellaini this seems to be the best we could do. Somehow I think Lacazette will sign for Munich. He's probably the only prolific striker worth going after. So I'm hoping for Firmino and one of Martial or Embolo. The latter I've seen two times, but he looks fantastic. Wilson seems to need a loan.
 
Manchester United are closing in on the signature of Atletico Madrid ace Mario Mandzukic.

Mandzukic, who joined Atletico last summer from German giants Bayern Munich, is said to be one of Louis van Gaal's main summer targets.

And according to former AC Milan and Croatia midfielder Milan Rapaic, the Atletico hitman is on the brink of joining the Red Devils.

He said: “He’s perfect for any team in any European league.

"It appears to me that he’s very close to Manchester United.”
please no
 
I did say Benteke before, but now we've been linked to Kane, I prefer him. I just think he has a higher ceiling and could be a front man for years to come.
 
I did say Benteke before, but now we've been linked to Kane, I prefer him. I just think he has a higher ceiling and could be a front man for years to come.
Kane will certainly have a higher price ceiling as well! Haven't Spurs said they won't sell though?
 
So where are we at with strikers?

Benzema
- Pussy, want's to stay in Madrid for the weather and glamour, knobhead.
Kane - Has "vowed" to waste his time at Spurs for a bit longer, also at the mercy of Satan.
Dybala - Hoovered up by a resurgent Juve.
Mandzukic - Thankfully also taken by Juve, there's a statue heading to Turin.
Jackson Martinez - Milan are going to throw money away on him, which is good as he has the mobility of a barge.
Ings - Snubbed! Beaten to this betatted gem by the titan of transfer, B-Rod.
Bacca - He must stay at Sevilla forever, or at least next season according to their version of Perez.

So who does that leave?

Lacazette
- A very good option but owned by the French Levy.
Higuain - Hugely overpriced bottle job.
Vietto - Talented and cheap but doesn't fit the bloody finicky profile LvG has.
Benteke - £32M for him seems like transfer proctology.
Lukaku - :lol:

It's cold out there in strikerland, I can see us ending up retaining Jurassic Persie for another season unfortunately, he'll just have to get used to the bench despite the protestations that he wants to start, as he says he has a contract so thems the breaks.
 
With better players around him RvP could have a good twilight year. He's been average for 2 seasons but then so has most of the team. It's not like he's shit now
 
With better players around him RvP could have a good twilight year. He's been average for 2 seasons but then so has most of the team. It's not like he's shit now

Is RvP average or are his suppliers average/bad? I dont really notice anything different from RvP himself in the way he plays mostly. What i do notice is him getting 0 chances while his famous movement is still good plenty of times.
 
I would like to see us sign somebody younger. What is the point of signing someone like Martinez who is of similar age to Rooney and RVP?

Bring in someone young that still has room for improvement, that can learn from our experienced strikers, grow as a player and take over when our current strikers are done.
 
I would like to see us sign somebody younger. What is the point of signing someone like Martinez who is of similar age to Rooney and RVP?

Bring in someone young that still has room for improvement, that can learn from our experienced strikers, grow as a player and take over when our current strikers are done.

I'd like that, too, if we aren't able to sign Lacazette. Martial or Embolo along with Firmino. Rooney, Firmino and Martial or Embolo, with Wilson on loan seems ideal to me.
 
Is RvP average or are his suppliers average/bad? I dont really notice anything different from RvP himself in the way he plays mostly. What i do notice is him getting 0 chances while his famous movement is still good plenty of times.

Well that's my point really. Everyone is writing him off but with a well functioning team around him he could still get close to 20 goals imo or at the very least be a useful option.
 
So where are we at with strikers?

Benzema
- Pussy, want's to stay in Madrid for the weather and glamour, knobhead.
Kane - Has "vowed" to waste his time at Spurs for a bit longer, also at the mercy of Satan.
Dybala - Hoovered up by a resurgent Juve.
Mandzukic - Thankfully also taken by Juve, there's a statue heading to Turin.
Jackson Martinez - Milan are going to throw money away on him, which is good as he has the mobility of a barge.
Ings - Snubbed! Beaten to this betatted gem by the titan of transfer, B-Rod.
Bacca - He must stay at Sevilla forever, or at least next season according to their version of Perez.

So who does that leave?

Lacazette
- A very good option but owned by the French Levy.
Higuain - Hugely overpriced bottle job.
Vietto - Talented and cheap but doesn't fit the bloody finicky profile LvG has.
Benteke - £32M for him seems like transfer proctology.
Lukaku - :lol:

It's cold out there in strikerland, I can see us ending up retaining Jurassic Persie for another season unfortunately, he'll just have to get used to the bench despite the protestations that he wants to start, as he says he has a contract so thems the breaks.
Pretty good summary there. Lacazette looks the standout option. I've had this feeling for a while that we would sign Berahino, although this is based on no more than a random hunch. Maybe it will be another year of RVP / Rooney / Wilson and possibly Chicarito though.
 
I'd like that, too, if we aren't able to sign Lacazette. Martial or Embolo along with Firmino. Rooney, Firmino and Martial or Embolo, with Wilson on loan seems ideal to me.

Lacazette would be by far the best option if we're looking for a new striker, imo. Good age, huge potential and offers something different compared to Rooney and RVP.

I might be in a minority here, but I also like Benteke. :nervous:
 
Is RvP average or are his suppliers average/bad? I dont really notice anything different from RvP himself in the way he plays mostly. What i do notice is him getting 0 chances while his famous movement is still good plenty of times.

If you look at his chance conversion stats during his time at United. In his first season he scored 20 non-penalty goals from 98 shots inside the area, a conversion rate of 20%. In his 2nd year 9 from 53; a conversion rate of 17%. And last season 8 non-penalty goals from 61 shots taken inside the area; a conversion rate of 13%.

Compared to other PL strikers, or indeed strikers across the top leagues in europe, close to 30% is brilliant and very difficult to sustain over a long period of time. Strikers having a great season will often be around 25%. 20% is good. 15% is ordinary. Much below 15% is out of form or shouldn't be in the team. Under 10% is Balotelli for Liverpool, or Soldado for Spurs territory. For instance, Mame Diouf scored 10 non-penalty goals from 49 shots taken inside the area for Stoke; a conversion rate of 20%.

(Stats from Squawka)

As for the OP's question, I would be very surprised if we bought a striker this summer. The ways LVG talks about Rooney and RVP does not suggest to me that either of them are out of favour. I expect Rooney to play as our main striker, with RVP as cover and Wilson getting some mins.
 
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Pretty good summary there. Lacazette looks the standout option. I've had this feeling for a while that we would sign Berahino, although this is based on no more than a random hunch. Maybe it will be another year of RVP / Rooney / Wilson and possibly Chicarito though.

As long as Rooney and RvP remain our main strikers I don't see any genuine PL challenge on the horizon, but it's not unforeseeable that next season will be another transition season given we are losing our only world class player as well and trying to prepare for the aging Carrick's end of the road.
 
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