Manchester United aim to recruit a support striker for Rasmus Hojlund in January amid concerns over their £72million signing’s development.
The Denmark striker is yet to open his Premier League account since arriving from Atalanta in the summer, though he has scored three times in Europe.
The 20-year-old arrived at Old Trafford nursing a back injury which has hampered his start to life with United.
However, there is also a sense at United that Hojlund would benefit from working alongside a more experienced centre-forward, who would also be able to share the goalscoring burden.
Given his young age, United are considering adding a more seasoned centre-forward to their ranks at the turn of the year, believing the right addition would add value to Hojlund’s development.
Rasmus Hojlund has yet to open his Premier League account since his £72m summer transfer
Man United believe Hojlund could benefit from working with an experienced forward
Anthony Martial is Man United’s other striker but is not viewed to have a long-term future
At the moment, Anthony Martial is the only other recognised centre-forward in the United squad.
The Frenchman’s time at United has been largely unconvincing with Martial, 27 appearing to have no long-term future at United with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
Of United’s 11 Premier League goals this season, only one has been scored by a recognised forward – Marcus Rashford’s strike in the loss at Arsenal.
With that in mind, United recruitment staff are monitoring experienced striking talent across Europe with a view to making a January signing not only to add much needed firepower but to ease the pressure on Hojlund.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney is set to leave in one of the next two windows with United known to be monitoring the England striker’s situation.
Porto striker Mehdi Taremi, 31, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer and could interest United with the Iran international’s current deal set to expire at the end of the season.
United have also been heavily linked with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
Manchester United are known to have been monitoring Ivan Toney’s situation at Brentford
Porto’s Mehdi Taremi would be an experienced option with his contract expiring this summer
Erik ten Hag remains key to the club’s recruitment plans despite facing mounting pressure
There is a willingness at United to improve the squad in January following their disappointing start.
Under pressure manager Erik ten Hag continues to play a key role behind the scenes with regards to January’s recruitment plans and talks over contract extensions.
But while Ten Hag is under no immediate danger of the sack, if the team’s form does not improve rapidly then the United boss will find himself under major pressure.
For now though, United are planning to improve the squad in January – with an experienced striker on their radar.
