Man United desperately need to strengthen their attacking options during this summer’s transfer window.
It was not all that long ago that Manchester United’s pursuit of a striker was shaping up to be a straight shootout between Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen.
The two goal-getters had cemented themselves at the top of the club’s shortlist, with Tottenham Hotspur star Kane earmarked as manager Erik ten Hag’s top target back in March. Napoli ace Osimhen was also under serious consideration and Reds supporters were optimistic that the club’s striker search would be solved with the addition of one of those two.
But now that the window is officially open for business, United’s search for a striker is wide open, with it virtually impossible to predict who will be spearheading the club’s attack come the opening weekend of the 2023/24 campaign. United are working under the assumption that Tottenham will not sell Kane, despite his contract being up next summer, and ongoing uncertainty with the takeover means that it is not yet clear just how big Ten Hag’s transfer budget will be.
It means United, with respect, are being forced to consider lesser options than Kane and Osimhen, such as Atalanta ace Rasmus Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt. Though they are both talented players, they are not yet in the same category as Kane or Osimhen, who scored 63 goals between them this season.
But even if United are lucky enough to bring Kane, Osimhen or a striker of similar standard to Old Trafford this summer, there is a general consensus that Ten Hag might need to bring in an additional forward to provide both competition and support. United played 62 matches this season and it resulted in many members of Ten Hag’s squad running on empty towards the end of the campaign, pointing to their lack of strength in depth.
As well as wanting to strengthen his first-choice starting XI this summer, Ten Hag also needs funds to bolster his overall squad, hence why two strikers could be needed. The prospect of two strikers coming through the door, however, could all hinge on Anthony Martial’s future.
As reported by the back in February, United are open to selling the Frenchman this summer. Currently, he is the club’s only out-and-out striker, following the conclusion of Wout Weghorst’s loan stint from Burnley.
However, Martial, as was proven throughout this season, cannot be relied on because of his fitness issues. United would be better off cashing in on him, accepting a financial loss in the process, and moving on.
If they do decide to do that, they may not find a better ready-made replacement than Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram. His contract at the Bundesliga club is up this month and he has already confirmed that he will not be extending his stay, meaning he will soon become a free agent.
The 25-year-old, who featured for France at last year’s World Cup, has been a fairly consistent source of goals in Germany over the last few seasons, getting into double figures in three of his four seasons at Monchengladbach. The only exception was when he scored just three times during an injury-hit 2021/22 campaign.
This season, however, he netted 16 goals and grabbed seven assists, meaning he would be within his rights to expect a move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs. The likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Roma are reportedly chasing his signature, meaning he would be an attractive signing for United, surely?
Directly comparing him with Martial, based on the assumption that he would join United as the club’s back-up striker, Thuram enjoyed a better campaign in front of goal than Martial in 2022/23, though the former AS Monaco ace’s injury record didn’t help his cause.
Though it is important to both remember and appreciate the differences between the Bundesliga and the Premier League, plus the fact Thuram made nine more league appearances than Martial this term, the former did outperform the Reds ace in a number of key offensive parameters. Those included shots on target per 90, successful dribbles per 90 and attacking actions per 90, plus several others.
Thuram also proved very useful when it came to offensive and defensive duels, outclassing Martial in every department. He, on average, won 1.51 aerial duels per 90, 0.57 defensive duels per 90 and 5.29 offensive duels per 90.
Thuram is a strong and athletic forward, capable of driving at defenders with his pace and athleticism. He is also a creative hub, racking up 29 assists alongside his 44 goals in four seasons at Monchengladbach.
Ten Hag likes his strikers to be involved in the play and contribute to each attacking phase. As a free agent, Thuram is a player United really ought to be analysing closely.
Source: manchestereveningnews
