Paul Scholes believes Cody Gakpo or Christopher Nkunku could fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo. The 37-year-old’s explosive exit from Old Trafford last month was best for all parties but leaves Erik ten Hag light of options up front.
As it stands, the Red Devils do not have an out-and-out striker in their ranks. Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford can operate through the middle but are best suited to drifting in from the left flank.
Manchester Evening News understands United chiefs “are open” to replacing Ronaldo in January. An infamously difficult time to do business in, the month-long window could prove the difference between cementing a Champions League finish and another underwhelming campaign.
Question marks remain as to whether Man United possess the firepower to claim a top-four spot after Ronaldo’s departure. If the Portuguese superstar's exit had any silver lining, it is how the transfer strategy - to sign a new marquee striker - is now crystal clear.
Gakpo and Nkunku are two names that will be familiar to United fans amid recent transfer speculation. The former - who is the joint top scorer at the World Cup - left the door open to a possible Premier League move last week.
Club legend Scholes listed both players as possible Ronaldo replacements to highlight how “there are players out there” for the Red Devils to sign next month. He told MUTV: "I think there's a couple of forwards they might look at. The kid at RB Leipzig that's been linked with Chelsea, Nkunku. Centre forward is obviously the big position that needs filling.
"We have Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford who can both play there, but I think Marcus prefers being out wide and Anthony's injury record isn't great. January might be too soon (to replace Ronaldo), they're probably looking at next summer now, but I do think there are players out there.
"The lad at PSV, Gakpo, is doing well for the Netherlands at the World Cup and I think Ten Hag has been interested in him before," Scholes added, before admitting it would be "tough" to do significant business in the new year. He added: "There are players out there for sure. January can be a tough window to do business but I hope we can do something and bring in a new centre-forward."
Pok3rfac3
15
Ronaldo fans think it's ok to idolise someone who has been trialed for r@p3, one who won't let a son know who his mom is, one who disrespected his own country many times by throwing the armband, one who disrespected the club that made him, assaulted a kid and what not. i can go on and on. But they go crazy over an agenda driven video because Messi's name was mentioned. Choose your idol wisely.