Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag desires to sign the striker in the summer transfer window.
The Dutchman concluded that his goalscoring capabilities this season “should be enough.”
However, with seven games left in the Premier League, United have just 45 goals, the fewest amongst the top 10 teams.
Asked at a press conference how essential it could be to bring a proven goalscorer to Old Trafford this summer, Ten Hag said: “I think it would help.”
Ideally, he would really like to have multiple strong contender for each role on the team.
Ten Hag added: “You need more options. You need double positioning in every position.
“We didn’t have a choice in some positions this season – the striker position, the left-back position – and that has a negative impact on the results.”
United traveling to face Bournemouth on Saturday acquired Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for £72 million on a five-year deal last August.
The 21-year-old is the club’s top scorer in his debut season, netting 13 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions.
England striker Marcus Rashford scored eight goals in 38 games and France international Anthony Martial, sidelined since January after groin surgery, scored twice in 19 appearances.
“Within the plan we have developed, we should have enough gates,” Ten Hag said.
“You count on Rashford’s goals – he scored 30 last season. You count on Martial’s goals – he did very well in my first season and also had a big impact on our performances in very important games.
“And then bring in a goalscorer like Rasmus Hojlund and that should be enough goals.”
Ten Hag is “open” to transferring ideas from the new hierarchy
If Ten Hag stays as coach, he can be working inside different parameters in the transfer market after Sir Jim Ratcliffe became a minority owner of United in February, taking control of football operations.
Ineos sports director Sir Dave Brailsford will play a key role at Old Trafford.
United have appointed Omar Berrada as CEO after resigning from his position as director of football operations at City Football Group to begin in the summer.
This week, United announced that John Murtough was stepping down as sporting director, and so he did I’m very keen to rent Newcastle’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth.
Southampton sporting director Jason Wilcox has also been linked with a role at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag said his past dealings in the transfer market with United have been “good” but he is “open” to input from key staff in United’s new structure, provided they’re in line together with his ideas.
“We are working in the background on scouting plans,” said the 54-year-old former Ajax head coach.
“We have good plans, I think also with good players. Now you see the recruitment issue: [Andre] Onana is doing very well, Rasmus Hojlund, everyone sees his great talent and potential. [Lisandro] Martinez, everyone was very happy with him and there are others too.
“So recruiting is good. But when… [new directors] you have even better ideas, we are always open. If you have options, but they offer better options, we are open.
“I trust the new owner that he will work as quickly as possible, introduce good new structures and that he will be able to execute them.
“But we have the way we want to play, so we know our profile, so it has to match the profiles we want.”
Credit : www.bbc.co.uk
