34 shots against Omonia until Scott McTominay finally scored in stoppage time. The Europa League match only highlighted Manchester United’s desperate need for not only attacking reinforcements, but also a stalwart number nine.
Cristiano Ronaldo will definitely leave Old Trafford at the end of this season, if not sooner, and Anthony Martial’s proneness to injury makes him too unreliable an option. The lack of options in this area is damning for a club aiming to challenge for titles soon.
Marcus Rashford has been used as number nine, but the Englishman’s most fruitful spells at the club came when he established himself as inside left forward.
United were heavily linked with the forwards during Erik ten Hag’s first transfer window. Saša Kalajdžić, Marko Arnautović and Benjamin Šeško were all rumored to be in close contact with United before each potential move collapsed for various reasons.
Given his excellent start to the season, Ivan Toney has become a key target among fans.
But should United look further, and with an eye to the future, when making the decision to buy a new striker?
Over the last two seasons, Jonathan David has become a supreme striker in European football. The Canadian is currently at the top of the Ligue 1 top scorers table, with a tally of nine goals in eleven matches.
At just 22 years old, David not only has a lot to offer, but has already become LOSC Lille’s all-time top scorer in Ligue 1, beating Eden Hazard’s record.
Due to his stellar start to this campaign, noted Fabrizio Romano,
“Jonathan David, one to watch on the market in the coming months as many top clubs follow him – he is now Ligue 1’s top scorer with 9 goals.”
United are now set to be embroiled in a different transfer debacle for another star: Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.
To think that the Glazers could muster enough cash to blow up the strong competition and purchase these two elite talents would be incredibly optimistic.
United spent much more than they had initially anticipated during the summer transfer window.
The pressure on the mounting debt should also be on Americans’ minds before they try to add to it by refusing to invest any of their own money in the sleeping giant.
But the case for the focus being solely on signing Jonathan David lies here: he has gotten progressively better with each season in top-level professional football.
13 goals in his first season in France, 19 in his second and 9 in his third (and it’s only October).
His steady development into a top striker fits the Ten Hag mold of bringing in talented young players who are entering their second or third professional contract.
David’s current goal conversion rate of 25% exceeds that of any United player. Ronaldo is just 7%, Rashford 19% and Martial, during his most successful season at United, was 21%. Ivan Toney and Cody Gakpo, two names heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in January, currently post a 26% goal conversion rate.
In addition, all of his goals this season have been scored from inside the 18-yard box. United have been conspicuously lacking a clinical finisher at touch distance from goal. Ole Gunnar Solskjær claimed that all United strikers only score beautiful goals rather than expertly poach, a problem David could instantly eradicate.
He is not only clinical in front of goal, but also when it comes to linking up with other strikers. Without wasting possession, David has navigated his way to an impressive 90% completion rate.
David’s willingness to work for his team cannot be ruled out either. Delivering one of Ten Hag’s most sought-after qualities, he averages almost 18 pressures per ninety minutes.
Sofascore reckons David’s current transfer value is around €50m with his contract running until June 2025. Regardless, United’s need for a new long-term striker is, at the moment, urgent.
Based on his consistent but flawless record, now could be the ideal time for United to pinch David before the European giants start betting big on the promising striker.
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