Manchester United’s attacking options could be boosted for free next summer, with important players available at the end of the season.
United’s need to bolster their attacking ranks is clear; With Cristiano Ronaldo likely to leave Old Trafford for a second time, Ten Hag will be missing numbers at the top of the pitch.
As reported in the Manchester Evening News, there are good options available in terms of quality and value for money.
Ronaldo is currently the only recognized striker at the club, but his lack of fitness and form has meant that Marcus Rashford has filled the role, with Anthony Martial, Ten Hag’s preferred option, injured.
Rashford isn’t the most natural number nine, and Martial’s inability to stay off the treatment table means the center forward position will take precedence next summer.
Lyon’s Moussa Dembele is someone United have been interested in for a long time, and his contract runs out at the end of the season.
Dembélé is a natural center forward and would bring a decent pedigree to the role, having impressed at Lyon since moving from Celtic in 2018.
The Frenchman had previously played in the Premier League for Fulham, where he scored 15 league goals for the London club. So far, Dembele has started this season in good form, scoring a couple of goals in Ligue 1.
Another option comes in the form of an old flame and Memphis Depay.
Depay is almost certain to leave in the summer from Barcelona, ​​who now have an embarrassment of riches at the Camp Nou. Depay has not fallen out of favor in Spain, serving the club well in a difficult season, last time,
The Dutchman will feel like he has unfinished business at United as he was traded quicker than he would have liked in his first season.
The Dutchman would return a more experienced player and person, just as important in dealing with Old Trafford and all that goes with it.
A final option would be Dortmund’s young German star Youssoufa Moukoko.
At just 17 years old, there seems to be no ceiling to Moukoko’s potential; Fast, strong and with an eye for goal, Moukoko is destined to be the next big thing to come out of Germany.
The potential is there to provide United with an answer to their surprising problem for the next decade and beyond.
Having busted their budget with some rushed deals at the end of this year’s transfer window, these alternatives represent serious options for United’s management.
The club’s hierarchy may take particular confidence in the free transfer market, with Christian Eriksen proving to be one of the summer’s hits, having signed on a free transfer from Brentford.
