Who would've been Man Utd’s ideal striker?

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 3 Feb 2024 10:52 GMT
• 4 min read

Erik ten Hag admitted that he was keen to add another striker to his Manchester United side in the January transfer window.

Jadon Sancho, Facundo Pellistri, and Hannibal Mejbri, all departed the club on loan, freeing up at least some of the wage bill.

Man Utd were linked to some strikers over the winter period but Financial Fair Play restrictions ruined any plans of strengthening. Speaking to the media ahead of his side's Premier League clash against West Ham, Ten Hag said of his striker search: "It’s not a secret I wanted a striker. With the injury to [Anthony] Martial, we don’t really have the backup. But it wasn’t possible because we have to match the FFP rules."

"There are some disadvantages with FFP. To make space for FFP, you have to sell players and you have to sell good players and I don't think that's the way you build a team."

FootballTransfers has taken a look at some of the names that would have worked for the Red Devils for the second half of the campaign - with their shoestring budget very much in mind.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is very much a Ten Hag player - full of brawn, power, and great shooting ability, the veteran would’ve been a wonderful addition from Bayern Munich at a low cut rate. He ended up staying at the German giants to deputise for Harry Kane, who was a major target for Man Utd over the summer.

The optics would not have looked great if Man Utd did go for Choupo-Moting - some saw the potential move as similar to when the Red Devils brought in Wout Weghorst on loan last window from Burnley. His spell at Old Trafford was nothing short of a disaster.

Serhou Guirassy

Serhou Guirassy has been one of the surprises of the season. His phenomenal goal record and lowly release clause - which is no longer vacant - saw a heavy number of links between him and Man Utd, along with other sides.

The forward has lit up the Bundesliga for Stuttgart this season, but whether that would translate to the Premier League is another matter. Newcastle were also thought to be keen, but they were another club hampered by FFP rules.

Armando Broja

Armando Broja joined Fulham on loan on deadline day, rejecting the advances of Wolves. The 22-year-old isn’t in the best form at Chelsea, but his loan spell at Southampton some seasons ago proves that he is more than capable at this level. Chelsea made him available for a loan on the final day, with Nicholas Jackson now back from the Africa Cup of Nations.

It would’ve been hard dealing with the Blues from Man Utd’s perspective but if they pushed hard enough a deal could have come to fruition.

Callum Wilson

For just £18m Man Utd could’ve landed one of the Premier League’s most prolific goal-scorers. Callum Wilson has had his fair share of injuries, but in a run of games, there are not many better at finding the back of the net. He operates as a fox in the box - his clinical positional sense is up there with the best in the world.

With just 18 months left on his deal at Newcastle, Man Utd could have brought in the striker at a relatively low fee. Perhaps it's one they may look at again in the future, with Ineos wanting to flesh out the side with Premier League experience as well as youth.