Man Utd treble winner warns Ten Hag off £100m-plus signing who could flop; names superior Prem-based option
Erik ten Hag has been urged to overlook a striker signing who’d represent something of a gamble in favour of bringing a more “proven” option to Man Utd.
Priority number one at Old Trafford this summer is signing an elite-level centre-forward. Anthony Martial is among those who could depart to pave the way.
Elsewhere, Wout Weghorst is unlikely to be signed outright once his loan spell from Burnley concludes. The giant Dutchman may already have his next club lined up.
Marcus Rashford has been in the form of his life this term, notching a career-best 29 goals across all competitions. However, Rashford is just as effective cutting in from the left flank and a striker signing the calibre of Victor Osimhen or Harry Kane would take United to the next level.
Osimhen and Kane are widely believed to be the two strikers Ten Hag will initially choose from. Both are expected to cost upwards of £100m and neither will be easy to sign.
However, according to Man Utd treble winner, Jaap Stam, the choice between Osimhen and Kane is clear.
When speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Stam voiced his concerns Osimhen, 24, could struggle to hit the ground running in the tougher Premier League.
There’d be no such worries for Kane who is quietly in the midst of one of his best ever seasons. Indeed, but for the brilliance of Erling Haaland, Kane’s mark of 27 league goals would put him seven clear of Ivan Toney in the golden boot race.
“It’s always difficult to say which one,” admitted Stam who played for the Red Devils between 1998-2001.
“Kane knows the Premier League very well, he’s proven himself at Spurs and he’s one of the best goalscorers in the world. He knows the level of play and what’s been expected from him and what he can bring.
“So can you bring in a player like Kane and of course you would be doing a very, very good deal for United in bringing him in. I think Osimhen, he’s a different type of player.
“For him, he needs to get acquainted to the Premier League at first. It can go fast, but it can also be a struggle at times as well.”
What type of striker will Ten Hag favour?
Ultimately, the decision on who to pursue will be made by Ten Hag.
“Ten Hag also needs to have a look at his philosophy and the type of player that he wants to have,” continued Stam.
“Does he want to have a real strong No 9 and a target man that can hold up the ball, who can link up with other players around him as well?
“Does he want to have a small creative player with a lot of pace as well? Is he dropping in at times a little bit more? Do you want to have a player with a lot of pace up front to make a change as well in your way of playing like Rashford was doing when he played up front in transition?
“But you need to have a No 9. You need to have a different striker in the team to give you that something extra, to give you these goals.”
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