For Manchester United another trophy has past them by and several of their problems on Sunday can be attributed to the lack of a prolific frontman.
It was Bruno Fernandes who brought the team level when Fulham had taken the lead at Old Trafford, only for the west Londoners to secure victory in a penalty shootout. Rasmus Hojlund began the game leading the line, but he was withdrawn with teenager Chido Obi his replacement.
Hardly the most glowing indictment, taking the Dane off with the game still needing to be won. Zirkzee was unable to fire a spark into United's attack and the Dutchman was one of two players to miss in the shootout in front of the Stretford End.
Hojlund and Zirkzee are the two main strikers in Manchester, but between them they can boast just five Premier League goals this season. The team have had to look elsewhere for goals but the lack of a regular source remains a major issue.
Ruben Amorim is expected to go into the market this summer with a striker high on his priority list. Given, the whole structure and make-up of United's team doesn't lend itself to creating bucket loads of chances for a No 9, but an elite forward would certainly add a lot.
The question for those at Old Trafford is who they choose to target. Arsenal too will be in the market for a frontman in a matter of months, increasing the competition.
Wayne Rooney, the most prolific forward in United's history, believes they should go after a former player in Danny Welbeck, who left the club in 2014. He's now scoring goals for Brighton and, whilst not the most fashionable name, Rooney claim he would "still like to see him here playing".
Mirror Football takes a look at the option for United, both obvious and left-field as the club look for value in the market.
Viktor Gyokeres
The name on everyone's lips when Amorim first arrived in Manchester. It was the current boss who decided to sign the Swede from Coventry City several years ago and it proved an inspired decision with Gyokeres now among the most sought after strikers in Europe. He will, again, hit huge numbers and Sporting Lisbon are somewhat resigned to his sale. The player himself wants European football, which means United may only be able to pursue him if they win the Europa League.
Benjamin Sesko
This is certainly a man high on Arsenal's wishlist so it may be a case of who acts first. The RB Leipzig forward has been on the radar of English sides for several years and has continued his development in Germany.
Leipzig have proved they will cash in on their top talent, as per their business model and, after choosing to stay put in the past, Sesko may feel now is the time to make that next step.
Danny Welbeck
Given his debut by Sir Alex Ferguson years ago. He was sold to Arsenal by Louis van Gaal but has proved to be a shrewd operator in the Premier League. Welbeck has continued to score goals, including against his former team. He wouldn't command a massive fee and may relish the chance to play back at the club where he first began. A signing that may not turn heads around Europe, but United need someone who is effective, not who will create headlines.
Matheus Cunha
Wolves protected themselves when they convinced him to pen a new deal with their striker now having a £62m release clause. Cunha has been the brightest light at Molineux and has continued to prove himself against the top clubs. He scored when Wolves downed the Manchester outfit earlier this year and, before scoring at Liverpool, Arne Slot insisted he had the quality to play for a top outfit in the Premier League.
However, there are questions over his temperament after a second outburst of the season saw him shown a red card during Wolves' FA Cup defeat to Bournemouth,
Jonathan David
It is a name that has been thrown about in Manchester and the Lille forward, who has scored 21 times this season, is a man out of contract in the summer. Given the well publicised issues and problems to do with PSR adding a forward on a free would be a shrewd move.
David scored in the Champions League at Liverpool earlier this season and his career is very much on an upward curve.
Victor Osimhen
His days at Napoli are all but over after the club went all in on Romelu Lukaku, which forced the Nigerian to head out and spend the season on loan at Galatasaray. One thing he guarantees is goals and in Turkey has scored 22 times ahead of a big decision this summer. He won't come cheap but Napoli equally want to get him off their books so there is certainly room for some smart negotiation.
Liam Delap
Much like Welbeck, not a name who is going to turn heads around Europe, but Delap has proved he can cut it in the Premier League. Despite Ipswich's struggles their frontman has continued to be a huge threat and scored against some of the top sides.
He left Manchester City to pursue his career ambitions and is something of a throwback as a strong, powerful and direct No 9. Having a former blue lead the line in red would also be tempting for those at United, especially if he proves to be a success.
Alexander Isak
It seems very unlikely given the money involved, but the club will certainly keep tabs. Newcastle are determined to hold onto the Swede and they have years left on his contract as they demand a fee well in excess of £100million. Whilst Isak is worth that, it remains to be seen if United in their current predicament could afford the player.
Bryan Mbeumo
He's remained whilst the likes of Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney have left him over the years and now he's very much the main man. He's understood to be on United's shortlist and Mbeumo has hit double figures for Brentford in the top flight for the first time - sitting on 15 at present - which comfortably puts him ahead of anyone in Manchester.
The Bees have demanded top dollar for their players in the past, but the lure of Manchester may well turn the player's head and he also provides the type of wide threat that could suit the system in Manchester.
Harry Kane
He will soon conclude his second season at Bayern Munich and, with the Bavarians look good at the top of the Bundesliga, could finally land the trophy he so craves. That was a huge motivating factor in his move to Germany, but there is the anticipation that he will eventually return to England with more records on his mind.
It was well publicised that a release clause exists in his deal, albeit that comes into play when the next January window comes about, so United's pursuit of Kane may have to wait for now.
Peodlmoptu
1
You guys MU at the top of the club, why don’t you sack Ruben Amorim? Let him go, since he became the Manager, he has destroyed players and hated them and left to go and they doing great job and now he has started hating Onana, what does Amorim what? he is the useless Coach than the past Coaches.
u talk like an arsenal fun bomboclart
Scoba2468
2
Osimhen should have been the best option But united is too small for him 🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣😂🤣
23509002(deleted)
0
mun u should buy them all to solve the problem 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Uganda football experts 🤡
23509002(deleted)
2
Only casuals and plastics believe what The Mirror prints 🤡🤡🤡
MuzahuuraDickens
0
mun u should buy them all to solve the problem 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Witceikmz
1
buying this player or that player doesn't help man u .... you need to clear up your toxic team . get rid of those toxic one then u bring in players
hunted
0
For I go for Liam delap
tisepstz
1
gyokeres is a tremendous BEAST
Labadkotyz
0
save money lets chido start
Labadkotyz
0
osimhen is a good to sign im sure
nahadmtuz
0
You guys MU at the top of the club, why don’t you sack Ruben Amorim? Let him go, since he became the Manager, he has destroyed players and hated them and left to go and they doing great job and now he has started hating Onana, what does Amorim what? he is the useless Coach than the past Coaches.
rokaekrsyz
1
noop group unitet
rokaekrsyz
1
Last. years. united play Chaupion chip ha ha
Wepbikmru
0
gyokeres
Cloroobama7
2
The problem with Manchester is not the coach nor the players .i think thi club have been cursed We need serious man of God to break this cursed Anthony left and is doing and betis Rashford left and he’s doing well at villa park You some of you still think Amorin is the problem?
Cohabdensy
1
As Liverpool fan I would advice you to sign Cunha,Mbeumo and Nouri.
Vikas_Patil
3
No world class striker will score goals as the main problem lies midfield and chance creation
DamilolaSamuel
0
I think man UTD have to get sesko,writz,muslia,osihmen,DIOMANDE,Adam Wharton,samu, Kenan yildiz,Óskarsson ,Nico Williams, firm pong
They should kuku get all Barcelona team at once
Diueknpu
0
this club should have given chance to Cr7
He failed and went to Saudi
ooracle
0
they also have to get pedri and gavi
Add Pele and Maradona too
jidacemouy
0
I think man UTD have to get sesko,writz,muslia,osihmen,DIOMANDE,Adam Wharton,samu, Kenan yildiz,Óskarsson ,Nico Williams, firm pong
they also have to get pedri and gavi
jidacemouy
2
I think man UTD have to get sesko,writz,muslia,osihmen,DIOMANDE,Adam Wharton,samu, Kenan yildiz,Óskarsson ,Nico Williams, firm pong
Wisimosu
1
not best
Razbeops
1
just buy the whole Fulham
tanelm
0
Fat fuxk giving advice
HOMEBHOY
3
United must leave established or popular players and go for unknown players that really know how to play their positions, sign unknown or underrated black young defenders, another combative DM, Then sign Wing backs United already have Dorgu, Maz add Quenda and Ait Nouri then sign Gykores and Cunha and sell Zirkzee and Holjlund, release Lindelof, Casey, Eriksen, Shaw,Heaton sell Dalot, Antony, Rashy, Sancho united squad next season Onana sign another competitor Zion of Parma or Costa of Porto, Center backs De ligt, Martinez, Yoro, Ayden add two center backs Inacio of Lisbon, Hincapie of lervekunsen or Scalvini of Atalanta, Maguire can stay, wingbacks Dorgu, Maz add two more Quenda or Frimpong then left side Ait Nouri or Kerkz, Midfield options Ugarte, Mainoo, Bruno add Ederson of Atalanta or Hunjlund of Lisbon, Inverted wingers Amad, Garna, Cunha, then Sign Gykores you can leave Holjlund
9polearsenal
0
The Manchester United stadium being called Old Trafford, is disrespectful to the legends. It should be named "New Trafford" of losses 😅😂💔
vecimnpruz
0
one problem with man united is that they talk too much.
lusacelpuy
0
United is good in lineup good players end up buying their shadow.
Fanabemnru
1
Welbeck and Alexander Isaak should be brought in
vakbceims
1
this club should have given chance to Cr7
cr7 struggling in desert abeg rest
zecdlmop
0
you all can see what have been telling you here that the coach is not good enough for united,let him go now before he sells the good players away,you can imagine how the formal players are playing in there various clubs once they left bondage to freedom
Soccpstuz
0
man utd dont bay plyear. last over last
zecdlmop
0
the more the Amorim the more the problem,if all the players in united are not good enough for the coach his he telling us that only Gyokeres is the best for his formation. My question is if vitor Gyokeres is not coming to united,that show no winning plan for the coach and his 63years old goal trainers and others have nothing to offer united or sporting will give united all the first team bcos they don't need winning
enyce
0
make you collect all they can change
Butabdenoz
0
we play with five defenders that is ball watching reactive not pro active they should stop playing video games
Davichi
1
this club should have given chance to Cr7
To do what? Seat in the goal post and wait for his team mates to work the ball for him to score then cry for penalties?
faubcloyz
0
amorim is a piece of shit
Mayu78
0
this club should have given chance to Cr7
Supdimsz
0
Man United is an umbrella for some players....
yekabeikr
3
Technically United 2 strikers. Chido shouldn’t be rushed into first team! Yes he’s showing more than Hojlund but like Amad should be allowed to be given the time to develop in a proper way! A properly run Club gets Amorim his guy Gyokeres then gets another striker who knows the prem better Gyokeres…Danny Welbeck who definitely wouldn’t mind being a rotational player……but considering how Cheap/foolish Glazers/Ineos are Jonathan David with no one else would more than likely be the only option they go for
Metbklnsy
0
I don’t know why Man united will consider Liam Delap, he is going to be another liability just like Huglund
makbimnrt
0
Man U is just a shadow of players
fodabdlosu
0
sell all useless players Mount Lindlofe Shaw
oladipooluwasayo
0
How on earth did Kompany go from Burnley coach to Bayern Munich coach😳
[image]
No be juju be that…
Football_only
0
post SAF era we sold our academy products very cheaply and invest a lot..but it seems max academy players are playing a good role till now with their respective clubs
Kedanruz
1
amorim is the problem
Shmonny
1
How on earth did Kompany go from Burnley coach to Bayern Munich coach😳
Betapidkin
1
Man united don't need striker yet, The first thing is to sake of Amorim. I have never come across any coach that's so adamant and failure as Amorim. Everyone is complaining about the formation is using and yet he keep repeating it. Now see where we are, Out of Carling cup, Out of FA cup, Down the league table and etc... Man united management should better have a rethink and let him go before it's too late.
baueorsuz
1
onana out