The centre-forward market...

Rozay

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One of our next key areas to address.

The market is not great at present, not only for us, but in general. Chelsea struggled and the best they could come up with to guarantee some goals was a 33 year old. Barcelona could only find a 34 year old. Liverpool gambled very big very early on Nunez. Haaland was a standout striker, but he could only join one team.

Seems the market has suffered somewhat from a transitioning of the role. Every candidate has some question marks. Ideally, you want a striker who can first score 20+ goals. Then you want them to be able to hold the ball up and have good technical ability to link with the rest of the team. You also want speed and intensity and ability to defend from the front. Nobody seems to have all of these things, and teams have to make trade-offs in what they prioritise. Guardiola, for instance, sacrificed the silk and hold-up/link-up ability for the guarantee of 20+ goals from Haaland. I'm sure he'd have rather Haaland had a bit more Kane to his game. But you can't get everything. Klopp made the same trade-off. Nunez is no Firmino.

Who are the best candidates of the next gen, and what are their respective strengths and weaknesses? To get all of the qualities we want - we may need to go big for a young player and try to develop one.

I think Gakpo has potential - he has the size, speed and power, he has link play and can finish - but he's a bit rough still and doesn't necessarily have the killer instinct for 30 goals.

Osimhen is interesting. He has little silk to his game, will struggle with hold up and link play as a result, but he does the most similarities to Haaland in that he is physically a beast with speed, strength and intensity in addition to a good size. He is a good finisher, and can probably excel as one of these 'only had 8 touches but scored twice' type of strikers. Can bully centre-halves.

Sesko potentially has everything you want, although a bit undercooked now. Likely to only become a serious option in two years at least.

I think there's a 20 goal striker in Joao Felix, although he doesn't have the explosive speed.
 

avgp_1

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It's strange no one really made a bid for Gouiri this summer when so many were looking at a new CF, I thought he would be odds on for a move. Is there a reason why he isn't being picked past couple of games for Nice?
 

He'sRaldo

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Tammy Abraham perhaps? Still fairly young, English, and 17 league goals last season for Roma isn't bad. Decent 1 in 2 striker.
 

tjb

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Don't sign an expensive centre forward in this market. It's not worth it.
Have 2 strikers who can score 15 goals a season. It's a better bet.
 

TheReligion

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@Rozay

I like the look of Jonathan David and have for a while. He’s at Lille and would be an achievable target.

13 in 37 debut season
15 in 38 last season
2 in 5 this season + 2 assists

22 years old CF
 

Rozay

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Sesko looks very interesting, but will rely upon Martial handling business for at least two years. He has size, speed and technical ability. He’s not proven himself a ruthless goalscorer yet though.
 

Rozay

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I like the look of Jonathan David and have for a while. He’s at Lille and would be an achievable target.

13 in 37 debut season
15 in 38 last season
2 in 5 this season + 2 assists

22 years old CF
Never been that impressed personally. I don’t see a good enough goalscorer yet, although that may change.
 

Smores

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I keep hearing that the market is dry for forwards but i'm not sure I buy into that at all. I think for us we're just used to being the destination of top players so previously we may have got Haaland or Nunez where as now we're the level below.

Was there ever a massive market of decent forwards beyond those who went to the top clubs who could be acquired for a decent fee?
 

amolbhatia50k

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I think Felix is very overrated.

We need someone who is a real threat in the box / from crosses and can also hold the ball up and link the play.

Like the look of Sesko from the clips. How's Raspadori?
 

amolbhatia50k

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@Rozay

I like the look of Jonathan David and have for a while. He’s at Lille and would be an achievable target.

13 in 37 debut season
15 in 38 last season
2 in 5 this season + 2 assists

22 years old CF
He's a bit small? Good movement in the final third? How's he aerially?
 

Von Mistelroum

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At present we have Ronaldo who wants to leave, looks a shadow of his former self, and doesn't fit Ten Hag's system or plans by the looks of things.

Martial is always injured, and usually terrible outside of that preseason purple patch.

Rashford is the worst striking option in the premier League.

With this in mind, it won't take a lot to improve us in that area. We won't get a Haaland or anything close, but we might be able to get a forward who can score at least.
 

zaafi

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We should go all out for Lautaro Martinez next summer. Fantastic player.

Unfortunately, right now there aren't many available strikers that would improve us. Had it been up to me, I would go for Luis Muriel from Atalanta. Not exactly a signing for the future, but better than playing Rashford as a striker, and his contract expires next summer so he would be a cheap signing. Below are his stats for the last three seasons.

19/20 season: 18 goals, 1 assist. 1244 minutes played (around 14 full matches)
20/21 season: 22 goals, 9 assists. 1433 minutes played (around 16 full matches)
21/22 season: 9 goals, 9 assists. 1542 minutes played (around 17 full matches)

Those are some pretty good stats considering the minutes played. They also show he's not just a goal scorer, but can also create chances for his teammates.
 

bond19821982

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It's a shame that we can't rely on Martial. Toney would be my preference. Also like the looks of Felix as false 9.
 

Lash

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It's strange no one really made a bid for Gouiri this summer when so many were looking at a new CF, I thought he would be odds on for a move. Is there a reason why he isn't being picked past couple of games for Nice?
Gone to Rennes
 

TheReligion

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He's a bit small? Good movement in the final third? How's he aerially?

We need @Raees to do one of his videos.

I can’t say I watch him week in week out, perhaps @JPRouve could chime in or @Oly Francis?

I know he can press though, work hard in the defensive phases, quickly carry the ball and his finishing appears to be becoming more clinical.

He can play in a two and as a second striker but I do think he could become an out and out number 9 which he has started doing.
 

TheNewEra

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United have time, get a world class CM and RB next year and then see how Sesko develops.

Theres a little wiggle room because Guardiola might leave city this summer so the dominance they have may weaken.

United have a good squad now just a few pieces left.
 

Red_toad

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Joao Pedro at Watford would be a shrewd signing, has all the attributes Ten Hag would want in a striker, only 20 and plenty of development potential in him I’m certain.
 

JPRouve

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We need @Raees to do one of his videos.

I can’t say I watch him week in week out, perhaps @JPRouve could chime in or @Oly Francis?

I know he can press though, work hard in the defensive phases, quickly carry the ball and his finishing appears to be becoming more clinical.

He can play in a two and as a second striker but I do think he could become an out and out number 9 which he has started doing.
At the minute I think that he is overrated. He is a good Ligue 1 attacker but nothing more, he doesn't show the technique, off the ball game or star mentality that would make him a top prospect.
 

Abraxas

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It's nothing new that you make compromises with a striker. Some of the great strikers have been out and out finishers and not interested in much else. You've always had your strong types that aren't so prolific, or similarly the link up players.

Trying to get someone who excels in every single area of play and physicality is about as realistic as thinking you're going to get a midfielder that is a defensive presence, runs box to box, builds up, scores and assists, presses.

Of course there have been a few players notable for being able to do everything but it's a big ask and generally we are getting more and more specialised in modern football, but even in old football specialisms and balancing players are a thing. So I think it's about the manager identifying what he needs to complement us rather than being depressed about the market.

You have to assume we are building around players like Bruno, Sancho and Antony. For me that's your baseline idea because otherwise why have we invested nearly 200 million? We think these are good footballers. So we have to look at their blend of qualities and understand what they need. What type of creation and movement do we have and what is lacking?

Also, before we get too despondent about strikers that are available, the next great strikers are out there. They're always out there. They have to come from somewhere. Maybe we have to be more proactive.

My uneducated guess would be that we need someone that has presence to hold it up because our players lack this. I don't think they need to be lightening quick, just quick enough. They need to be capable of good numbers. Firmino isn't cutting it. You cannot expect Sancho and Antony to morph into Mo Salah overnight so we have to realise we have a lot of creation but no killers.
 
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TheReligion

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At the minute I think that he is overrated. He is a good Ligue 1 attacker but nothing more, he doesn't show the technique, off the ball game or star mentality that would make him a top prospect.
Is there anyone within Ligue 1 worth looking at for United??
 

andersj

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One of our next key areas to address.

The market is not great at present, not only for us, but in general. Chelsea struggled and the best they could come up with to guarantee some goals was a 33 year old. Barcelona could only find a 34 year old. Liverpool gambled very big very early on Nunez. Haaland was a standout striker, but he could only join one team.

Seems the market has suffered somewhat from a transitioning of the role. Every candidate has some question marks. Ideally, you want a striker who can first score 20+ goals. Then you want them to be able to hold the ball up and have good technical ability to link with the rest of the team. You also want speed and intensity and ability to defend from the front. Nobody seems to have all of these things, and teams have to make trade-offs in what they prioritise. Guardiola, for instance, sacrificed the silk and hold-up/link-up ability for the guarantee of 20+ goals from Haaland. I'm sure he'd have rather Haaland had a bit more Kane to his game. But you can't get everything. Klopp made the same trade-off. Nunez is no Firmino.

Who are the best candidates of the next gen, and what are their respective strengths and weaknesses? To get all of the qualities we want - we may need to go big for a young player and try to develop one.

I think Gakpo has potential - he has the size, speed and power, he has link play and can finish - but he's a bit rough still and doesn't necessarily have the killer instinct for 30 goals.

Osimhen is interesting. He has little silk to his game, will struggle with hold up and link play as a result, but he does the most similarities to Haaland in that he is physically a beast with speed, strength and intensity in addition to a good size. He is a good finisher, and can probably excel as one of these 'only had 8 touches but scored twice' type of strikers. Can bully centre-halves.

Sesko potentially has everything you want, although a bit undercooked now. Likely to only become a serious option in two years at least.

I think there's a 20 goal striker in Joao Felix, although he doesn't have the explosive speed.
Felix? We are not that lucky! :)

Considering EtH love for Haller, I would not be surprised if Mitrovic became an option.
 

DannyCAFC

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Kane might be gettable next summer if he doesn't sign a new deal but he'll be 29.

The best, younger top-class CF on the market is Lautaro Martinez but he'll likely cost a fortune. Same for Osimhen, and Felix.

Cheaper options be might -

  • Jonathan David
  • Patrik Schick (although he hasn't started the season well by the looks of it),
  • Tammy Abraham (questionable how good he'll be in the PL and I think he has a lower ceiling but certainly been great for Roma and homegrown)
  • Benjamin Sesko
 

Real Madras

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I’m hoping the next CF we sign isn’t known yet. We need to find a gem and turn him into a top player. I miss those type of players. Use the next 12 months with Ronaldo and Martial and set up a proper scouting division and build that foundation.
 

Dolf

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If you ask me, Lautaro Martinez is the only elite striker that might be gettable. But i'm not really sure about his mentality/attitude.
 

JPRouve

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Is there anyone within Ligue 1 worth looking at for United??
Taking into account age, Rennes are the team to follow, they have Doku, Kalimuendo and Gouiri, they also have Terrier who could be interesting for EL clubs. Otherwise the other player that is definitely a good target should be Moussa Dembélé, if he doesn't extend he will be free and Jonathan David should be followed, he may not have convinced me yet but it doesn't mean much, he is young and has potential.
 

Telsim

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There are no options only if you compare everyone to the likes of Lewandowski, Benzema, and Haaland. Strikers like that are few and far in between. In the case of Haaland it's likely he is a unique specimen.

But there are plenty of options and many have been mentioned here. I like the look of Osimhen the most but Napoli are going to take us to the cleaners for him. Sesko and Jonathan David look promising as well. Someone else I'd keep a close eye on this season is Evanilson.
 

RkkMan

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United have time, get a world class CM and RB next year and then see how Sesko develops.

Theres a little wiggle room because Guardiola might leave city this summer so the dominance they have may weaken.

United have a good squad now just a few pieces left.
Sesko has signed a pre contract with Leipzig and set to join them in 2023(same year Nkunku`s release clause kicks in) he could stay there for 2-4yrs which is too long a time without a ST when others around us will keep improving regardless of whether Pep stays. Would be foolish to intentionally handicap ourselves for one player that much who`s not guaranteed to join us when Gakpo, Lautaro, Abraham, Nkunku, Osimhen etc will all be available next year
 

El-Manos

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Sesko would have been perfect. Gutted we missed out. At least we tried I guess.
 

cpresc

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What’s happen to Calvert-Lewis? I always liked the look of him, good size and a tidy player for link up
 

BarryWinks

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Personally only think Kane is worth the fee that would be needed (if the current market is any indication). Kane I believe gives us both the great holdup play, exceptional finishing and top-level experience.

As for others:

I like Osimhen he's tenacious, fast, strong and will keep defenders honest. Doesn't have the best touch and I think his finishing with his feet is erratic (his shooting technic isn't consistent at all even though he does try and score the spectacular) maybe he'll develop further this year, but on current showing won't be worth what Napoli will demand.

David's is overrated on my opinion. Something about him doesn't scream potential 20+ goals striker to me. Also looks like one of those who will pull on a bit of weight over the next few season, which will affect his speed/agility -- see Ben Yedder.

Think Sesko & Isak would have both been interesting signings this past window. Obviously would cost an arm and a leg to sign both now (no pun intended), but I need to be convinced by either as a goal scorer.

Unfortunately there's no young Benzema in the market that can be picked up with a bit of guarantee.
 

avgp_1

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Gone to Rennes
Just seen, a deadline day coup it seems and only for 25M, thats a great deal for Rennes. With Kalimuendo and him they have bought two fine young strikers
 

tomaldinho1

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+1 for Toney but his attitude seems a bit annoying. Thinks he's too big for Brentford etc.
I'm convinced there's something else behind the scenes with him because he's a really good player and age. It feels like there's such a dearth of talent we should be looking for really young players to develop now - otherwise you pay up for Osimhen