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At the start of the season, no one expected Manchester United to be in the position they are now. They sold Romelu Lukaku and loaned out Alexis Sanchez; they were struggling for goals and were unable to play good football.
However, with the January signing of Bruno Fernandes and the return of Paul Pogba from injury, Manchester United have shown flashes of the team that was renowned in the Premier League during Sir Alex Ferguson's time. The Red Devils are not yet a finished article, though, and need more personnel to again challenge for big trophies.
One of the Manchester United players who has impressed since the Premier League restart is Anthony Martial. The Frenchman has played as a sole striker this season.
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However, every top team needs at least two players in every position to be able to compete for big trophies. The Frenchman is not a target man, and Manchester United need someone who has a presence in the box. In other words, they require a striker who can bring something more to the table than Martial.
On that note, let us have a look at five strikers Manchester United should consider for next season.
Five strikers Manchester United should consider for next season:
#5: Arkadiusz Milik (Napoli)
The 26-year-old Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik joined Napoli as a replacement for Gonzalo Higuain who joined Juventus. Despite being 6'1, the former Ajax striker has good pace and playmaking abilities. This season he has scored 14 goals for Napoli in 32 appearances.
As discussed earlier, unlike Martial, Milik can be a target man. He can head the ball well and is physically strong as well. Moreover, he has often played for Napoli who like to play delicate football, something similar to what Manchester United have been playing since the restart.
The move to Old Trafford could be an appealing one for Milik as well. Though Napoli have been resurgent under Gennaro Gattuso, they have always failed to challenge for trophies in the long term. On the other hand, Manchester United have a rich history and the money as well to bring in good players, and they are getting closer to again challenging for big trophies.
Milik has only one year remaining in his current contract, which expires next season. If the Red Devils genuinely pursue him, they are likely to face competition from the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur.
#4: Andrea Belotti (Torino FC)
Andrea Belloti came into limelight when he scored 28 goals for Torino in the 2016/17 season. He could not reach the same heights in the next season, but gradually he has managed to score goals on a consistent basis. This season he has scored 22 goals for Torino in all competitions.
It should also be kept in mind that Belloti has been scoring goals despite playing for an average team like Torino. Also, as the Serie A is a tactical league, it is difficult for forwards to score goals there.
The 26-year-old Italian is athletic and powerful as well. Though he is a bit similar to Anthony Martial, but he is more naturally suited to be a centre forward than the Frenchman. Belloti has also been praised for his tactical intelligence, positioning and work rate.
He could also be tempted to leave Torino to play for a big club like Manchester United. It has been reported that the Red Devils are keeping an eye on the former Palermo forward.
#3: Duvan Zapata (Atalanta B.C.)
Duvan Zapata has been a revelation since he joined Atalanta from Napoli. The 29-year-old is a lethal finisher and can be a physically dominating player as well. In 77 appearances for Atalanta, he has scored 46 goals and has provided 16 assists.
The Colombian is 6'2" tall and is capable of playing as a target man. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can use him as a player who can attract defenders and create spaces for the likes of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood.
Though Atalanta have been playing some mesmerising football and challenging Juventus' might in Serie A, however, in the long run it is unlikely that they will sustain it. Their top players like Zapata could be tempted to leave the Gewiss Stadium.
It will be difficult to prise Zapata away to Old Trafford as Atalanta would ask for a big price. Also Turin giants Juventus are interested in him. However, it should be worth the effort for Manchester United to secure the services of the former Napoli striker.
#2: Raul Jimenez (Wolves)
In the summer of 2018, Raul Jimenez joined Wolverhampton on loan with a buyout clause of €38 million. The next summer Wolves splashed the cash for the Mexican, and he has been worth the money. Jimenez has been very impressive for Wolves this season, scoring 26 goals in all competitions.
He is known for his physical presence in the box and his ability to hold up play. The former Atletico Madrid striker is also good in the air as he is 6'3" inch tall.
Despite his size, he is not a flat track bully and his overall game is also very good. At the age of 29, he is at his peak and Manchester United would enjoy his best form for at least 3-4 years if they get him.
Wolves are aware that they are destined to lose Jimenez. Despite thier brilliance in recent seasons, they are yet to truly challenge for Champions League spots in the Premier League.
A player of Jimenez's ability would surely be tempted to play in the Champions League; Manchester United are very close to securing Champions League football for next season.
#1: Moussa Dembele (Lyon)
Frenchman Moussa Dembele has been a target for Manchester United for quite some time now. The 24-year-old made a name for himself at Celtic which earned him a move to Lyon. This season as well, he has scored 22 goals for the Ligue 1 side.
Dembele has a bit of experience of playing in the Premier League, which he did so for Fulham. He is a clinical finisher and has good off-the-ball movement. The former Celtic striker is also capable of playing one-two football and has a good work rate as well.
Over the years, Lyon have been a selling club, and if they are pushed by a big club they will sell Dembele. The player himself would want to play at the Theatre of Dreams. It will also help him to be in consideration for the French national team in the Euros next year.
In the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lyon can't ask for big money for Dembele. Chelsea were previously linked with him but they have now signed Timo Werner.
While Arsenal have been linked with Dembele, but they see him as a replacement for either Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang or Alexandre Lacazette. However, Arsenal's chances of securing any type of European football are less compared to the Red Devils who have at least a Europa League spot guaranteed for themselves.
