Which striker suits Man Utd best? One star stands out as the best transfer option for Ruben Amorim's struggling side
One target is very similar to Alexander Isak
DEVIL IN THE DETAIL Which striker suits Man Utd best? One star stands out as the best transfer option for Ruben Amorim's struggling side
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MANCHESTER UNITED are weak in almost every area but replacing their dismal front-line must be the biggest priority before next season.
The fallen giants have the most to do this summer given the club's worst Premier League campaign on record and the humiliating defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
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Ruben Amorim is eyeing an attacking overhaul this summer
Credit: Getty
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United have already signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves
Indeed, if it gets any worsethen England's longest footballing powerhouse will be RELEGATED in a year's time.
A dismal 44 goals ensured United finished 15th in the Prem, with Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton to thank for being so poor that they occupied the bottom three spots.
Unlike United of old, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. moved uncharacteristically quickly to secure Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5million within days of the window opening.
But, while Cunha will automatically walk into the XI, the Brazilian does not meet their greatest need in terms of adding a recognised and dangerous centre forward to the squad.
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United desperately need attacking reinforcements, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee having endured a poor campaign at Old Trafford.
So, Amorim's side still are being heavily linked to four forwards this summer, with the list including Bryan Mbeumo, Hugo Ekitike, Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen.
Here SunSport breaks down the strengths of each of these four strikers before then giving a recommendation for which player would suit United.
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Bryan Mbeumo
Days after confirming Cunha, United became favourites to land Brentford ace Bryan Mbeumo.
But Tottenham threw a spanner in the works when Daniel Levy sacked Ange Postecoglou and replaced him with Bees boss Thomas Frank.
SunSport exclusively revealed on Sunday that Tottenham are ready to hijack Man Utd's £60m Mbeumo transfer once Frank's appointment was confirmed.
From a profile perspective though you can clearly see why he is of interest to United.
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The 25-year-old is capable of playing as one of the two No 10s behind the striker under Amorim's system, or as the main striker.
But Mbeumo would most likely play as the striker for Amorim.
From this position his movement and pace offers consistent threat to stretch the pitch and attack space behind the defensive line.
Mbeumo forces the opposition to defend deeper because he himself drops deep to win the ball, before making aggressive runs forward.
The Cameroon international's movement and willingness to work to break the last line creates threat and results in chances.
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Mbeumo often drops deep to win the ball before driving forward
United need to find a striker who can provide more threat in the final third.
It is fair to say that neither of their current options Hojlund or Zirkzee have proven themselves to be the answer in the position.
Mbuemo also finds space between centre-backs and his deep runs allow Brentford midfielders to get on the ball in dangerous positions.
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Mbuemo has a clear tendency to find space between the opposition central defenders.
Mbuemo is similar to Cunha in that he is proven in the Premier League, after ending last season with 20 goals and eight assists in 38 games for Brentford.
There is little doubt that he would come in immediately and make a significant impact for United.
Hugo Ekitike
The Red Devils were a surprise entry in the race for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.
The Frenchman, who joined the Bundesliga side from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in 33 league matches this term.
Ekitike in terms of his profile is the closest thing in European football at the moment to Alexander Isak of Newcastle.
With Eddie Howe making it clear that the Toon aren't open to selling Isak, there is a sense that Ekitike would represent a younger player with a similar style of play and perhaps even more upside.
He is similar to Mbeumo in that he will make aggressive and intelligent runs but arguably his link play in the midfield is better.
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Ekitike is less reliant on long straight runs than Mbuemo
Ekitike is less reliant on long straight runs than Mbuemo as he makes intelligent movements off the ball to arrive with good timing around the area.
While Ekitike does have the pace and power to stretch the pitch, he likes to come in to combine deeper before attacking space around the edges of the opposition area.
When compared to Mbeumo he is more technical if slightly less explosive but at just 22 years old he has levels still to improve.
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Ekitike makes supporting runs to take advantage of space behind the defensive line
Of the four strikers that United are being linked to at the moment there is a real argument that Ekitike has the highest ceiling and the most potential to kick on and reach greater heights.
He could well score 25 goals a season consistently from this point on.
Viktor Gyokeres
It's largely forgotten for the most part now but Viktor Gyokeres boasts the most experience in English football, having played for both Brighton and Coventry City.
But it's fair to say though that the Swede's move to Portugal with Sporting CP has really seen his career take off.
The Arsenal target also enjoyed a close relationship to United boss Amorim, with 40-year-old helping him turn into one of the most prolific No.9's in Europe.
Gyokeres, who scored 54 goals in 52 games last season, is a striker with a different profile to both Mbuemo and Ekitike.
He is most effective when playing high and positioned around the edges of the opposition area or even slightly deeper.
While the two strikers that we have covered above rely more on movement to create separation and chances for themselves, the Sweden international has more power and athleticism to his game.
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While Mbuemo and Ekitike create space for teammates through their movement to break the last line we typically see Gyokeres positioned high early using his power to play back to goal
While Mbuemo and Ekitike create space for team-mates through their movement to break the last line, Gyokeres is usually positioned high early and uses his power to force the opposition to inside the box.
Gyokeres has dominated the Portuguese league, and while defenders in the Prem are more physical, he still would offer United the ability to create chances for himself in isolated 1v1 situations.
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Gyokeres often positions himself high to get into dangerous areas and attack the ball in the box
Gyokeres is a different profile to both Mbuemo and Ekitike but he would provide United with an effective target man type that they could play into early as they move into the attacking phase.
Despite United's interest, Arsenal remain favourites to nab him, with new director of football Andrea Berta a big fan from his days at Atletico Madrid.
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Victor Osimhen
The final striker on our list is Victor Osimhen who has just returned to Napoli having spent last season in the Turkish top-flight with Galatasaray.
Osimhen has been heavily linked to a move to several teams in the Saudi Pro League, but he is thought to be giving priority to a move to stay in Europe.
The 26-year-old has the physical and technical level to continue to play at a high level and to be an effective striker in the Prem.
He is similar to Gyokeres in that he wants to position himself on the highest line and give his team a focal point to their attack.
He can finish with real power and his aerial threat would be effective for a team like United who work the ball into crossing situations.
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Osimhen is extremely hard working in counter pressing situations and likes to work with team-mates to press and win the ball high
Osimhen is far more than just a goalscorer although he finished last season with 26 goals and 5 assists in 30 league games.
He works hard for his team out of possession and he will play and link in with team-mates around the final third before looking to create shooting opportunities for himself.
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Osimhen also provides strength to play when he is isolated against more than one defender on the highest line
Osimhen also provides strength to play when he is isolated against more than one defender on the highest line with no direct support
He has the power, energy and technical level to play in a team where he is isolated as the highest striker with movement and support coming from deeper.
Conclusion
Of the four strikers discussed we believe that there are two who should be clear as top options for United.
Mbuemo has the vital experience in the Prem and the capacity to provide the consistent vertical movements that United are currently missing.
While, Osimhen represents the best true forward on the market with an opportunity to sign him as he enters his peak years.
If we were forced to pick one of the two then we would prioritise the move to sign Osimhen this summer.
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