Manchester United’s search for a new striker is no secret. The Red Devils are desperate for quality reinforcements up front after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Manager Erik ten Hag has even publicly stated the need. However, the coach also recently stated that any potential new player would need to adapt to his system.
“We need good players, not just numbers,” ten Hag said. “We need quality players to cover. And we also need competition and we also need to know that we can make different decisions.”
“So we’re looking for the right player for our team, but he has to match our sporting criteria, definitely, but also some financial criteria.”
Man United Jonathan David chance: Canadian could fill striker role
One player who could go to Manchester is Jonathan David. The Lille striker has amassed nine goals and four assists in 16 Ligue 1 appearances so far this season. David’s manager, Paolo Fonseca, has even claimed that it would be difficult to keep the star from him beyond 2024.
“It will be difficult to keep Jonathan David at the club next season,” Fonseca recently told La Voix des Sports. “There aren’t many strikers with his skills and numbers in Europe. He is only 22 years old. I think the best European clubs will try to sign Jonathan David.”
United would almost certainly be interested in signing the Canada international in January. However, transfer expert David Ornstein recently reported that the Premier League side may not approve a major deal in the coming weeks because United are up for sale.
United could be creative with offer to Lille
One possible move is that the Red Devils could offer an initial loan with an obligation to buy David in the summer. This is a similar maneuver that the team with PSV tried for Cody Gakpo. The Dutch team ultimately opted for Liverpool’s simpler financial package.
David has scored 37 goals in 91 league games in total since moving to Lille in the summer of 2020. His versatility could also be a major asset for United. The Canadian can play as a traditional number nine, as well as a second striker.
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