Wednesday 22 July 2015 14:24, UK
Louis van Gaal can't seem to make up his mind over a new striker - but we've knocked up a list of potential recruits, should he decide to take the plunge...
United have been linked widely in both the British and foreign press to the likes of Gareth Bale, Harry Kane, Antoine Griezmann, Robert Lewandowski, Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“It's not the striker that the media has written about," Van Gaal cryptically said last week. "You have to wait and see."
The Dutchman appeared to backtrack on that statement following his side's 3-1 win over San Jose, telling reporters: "I don't know if I want to buy a striker".
So will he or won't he? From Lacazette to Llorente, Drogba to Dost, we look at the potential front men who could be United's fifth signing of the summer.
Superstar
Since the start of his reign at Old Trafford, Van Gaal has not been afraid of splashing the cash to get the player he wants. Already in this window the Dutchman has added Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin for significant transfer fees, but he could well dip even further into the coffers to sign a world class striker to partner Wayne Rooney.
Examples: Thomas Muller, Karim Benzema
Former Van Gaal favourites
Van Gaal has had a distinguished career at both club and international level. He has managed some of the top club sides in the world including Barcelona and Bayern Munich, before taking The Netherlands to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup. The Dutchman has already taken fellow countrymen Daley Blind and Depay to Old Trafford and another reunion with a former favourite cannot be ruled out.
Examples: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Miroslav Klose, Mario Gomez
Route One
While Sky sources are suggesting Rooney has been promised a return to a central striking berth, Van Gaal will be looking at an alternative focal point to the England captain. What better option than to go for a traditional big lad up top. At certain points during the season Van Gaal will need a different option up front to cause different problems and grab the odd goal, in a similar vein to Marouane Fellaini's impact in the latter stages of contests last season.
Examples: Bas Dost, Graziano Pelle, Fernando Llorente
Pace ace
Much like the route one option, every good strike force needs a pace option. Javier Hernandez is still at the club but his future continues to be the subject of much speculation and he is out for up to four weeks with a collarbone injury. Could Van Gaal be in the market for a Chicharito replacement?
Examples: Gonzalo Higuain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Theo Walcott
Rising talent
United will be looking for a striker to join Rooney and to hit the ground running in the Premier League but Van Gaal will also have one eye on the future. The England captain is not getting any younger at 29 and United could be targeting some fresh legs to help carry the burden up front as they fight on four fronts this season.
Examples: Alexandre Lacazette, Domenico Berardi, Mauro Icardi, Kevin Volland
Home-grown star
Manchester City have shown the importance they are placing on home-grown talent in this transfer window but could United follow suit? With a quota of home-grown players being introduced from next season it is vital Van Gaal has a strong English contingent in his squad. And with an instant return on goals required to help Rooney, the Dutchman could look closer to home for his ‘mystery’ striker.
Examples: Saido Berahino, Charlie Austin, Jay Rodriguez
Ageing great
We’ve seen Sir Alex Ferguson bring in experience at United to help bring the Premier League title back to Old Trafford, but could Van Gaal do the same? Ferguson turned to a 35-year-old Henrik Larsson back in 2007, while last season Jose Mourinho brought Didier Drogba back to Chelsea and his contributions helped bring the League Cup and the Premier League crown to Stamford Bridge.
Examples: Didier Drogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Javier Saviola
Wildcard
Van Gaal did say it would be a surprise, and it would certainly be a shock to see any of these strikers make the move to Old Trafford…
Examples: Mario Balotelli, Fernando Torres, Nicklas Bendtner
What Sky Bet are saying
So who is the 'surprise' striker Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has his eye on? Barcelona’s Pedro (1/2) and Edinson Cavani (6/4) are the shortest-priced players in Sky Bet’s transfer markets linked with a move to Old Trafford. PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been the most heavily backed in from 16/1 to 7/2, while West Brom’s Saido Berahino (5/1), Harry Kane (6/1) and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema 8/1 have all attracted interest from punters. Get the latest transfer odds here
