Manchester United are expected to hunt for a striker this summer with Anthony Martial exiting, leaving Rasmus Hojlund as the only natural centre-forward.
It has become evident that Marcus Rashford is largely ineffective when played through the middle, while Hojlund missed eight games last season through injury. In an ideal world, the 21-year-old would not be the main striker.
United agreed to a deal worth up to £72m for him last summer, and time will tell whether that was a price worth paying. It’s a lot of money to spend on any player, not least in light of Premier League spending rules.
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The figure also means that paying out big again for a striker this summer seems unlikely, unless Sir Jim Ratcliffe truly is cut-throat with departures. Every player bar four – Andre Onana, Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Hojlund – will be open for sale this off-season.
Of course, the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez are not thought to be on the exit treadmill unless a stupid amount of money is tabled – although with Saudi Pro League market influence, that is not an impossibility.
But it means the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Christian Eriksen and, more obviously, Casemiro could be chopped. If United are to get a main goalscorer that plays ahead of Hojlund, such sacrifices would be essential.
One name being linked with summer interest is Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins. His 19 Premier League goals helped the Villans to Champions League qualification, a competition in which United will play no part next season.
If Ratcliffe is to convince him into a United move – a mighty challenge – he would have to sell him a dream, the second factor in a transfer coup. Watkins turns 29 in December, and perhaps his next move is his best and last chance of a transfer to a ‘big six’ club.
Liverpool are not interested, Arsenal are preferring a wide attacker more than a centre-forward, and Manchester City have Erling Haaland. Tottenham, a less attractive option, have not won a trophy since 2008.
Furthermore, there is no guarantee Villa will requalify for the Champions League again next season, while United are always assured to be in and around the European spots. Bigger wages would also be on offer at Old Trafford, and he would be the main striker.
These are all arguments United would have to put forward, but those olive branches only reach so far. Perhaps the biggest tack Ratcliffe can take is appointing a manager with an exciting reputation, which is the third factor in United’s chances of landing Watkins.
Erik ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford is yet to be decided, despite intense reporting last week, but the Dutchman is unlikely to attract the big names, especially after seeing the demise of Casemiro. Mauricio Pochettino, for example, would be an attractive coach to work under for most players.
Ten Hag does not stir the same excitement, and it seems if he is to stay at the helm, Watkins is not going to be inspired by a change of scenery – especially when he has Unai Emery as boss, a manager who has elevated his game to new heights.
The case with Watkins is the same with most top-of-the-range strikers that come at a premium – why choose United? Ratcliffe has a lot of convincing to do and would need to speak by his actions more than mere direct conversation.