The 59-time international has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent seasons

Manchester United have emerged as the new frontrunners in the race to sign prolific Canadian forward Jonathan David in the summer. TuttoSport reports Manchester United have a ‘golden opportunity’ to secure the services of the 25-year-old forward despite rival interest from Italian heavyweights Juventus.

David has just six months remaining on his contract with French side Lille and is believed to have his sights set on a new challenge away from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy next season. The 59-time international is able to begin pre-contract negotiations with clubs outside of France in this window and is expected to be available for free in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Red Devils at this time are desperate to strengthen their centre forward options with current strikers Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund both struggling for form and confidence in front of goal this season. Together the pair have found the net just five times in total in the Premier League with Zirkzee providing the only assist.

Neither have done enough to impress manager Ruben Amorim in his first few weeks at Old Trafford and have left the Portuguese coach and his recruitment team scouring the market for options.

What would Jonathan David bring to Manchester United?

Jonathan David has hit double figures in every season of his professional career since bursting on to the scene as a teenager at Gent in 2018 and would immediately be able to offer United the goals that they have been lacking for a number of seasons.

David’s current tally of 11 goals in 17 league games makes him the joint top scorer in Ligue 1 while his impressive tally of four in six in Europe (including a match-winner against Real Madrid) makes him amongst the top 10 goal scorers in the Champions League.

The Canadian is credited with helping Lille to a league title against the odds in 2020/21 and has also been heavily praised for guiding Canada to the World Cup in 2022 - ending a 36-year-wait for qualification. He scores all types of different goals, is blessed with electric pace and is now his nation’s all-time leading scorer at just 25, with 31 goals in 59 caps.

Manchester United struggles in front of goal

In contrast, the Red Devils are currently the fifth lowest goalscorers in the Premier League this season with just 23 goals from 20 games. Only newly-promoted duo Southampton and Ipswich Town, along with strugglers Everton and Crystal Palace have found the net on less occasions.

The season prior to that, the Red Devils registered just 57 goals - the lowest of any team inside the top half - and only one fewer than the 2022/23 season where they scored just 58 times. Manchester United have failed to score over 60 goals in any league campaign over the last four seasons which is a damning indictment of a team that for a long time boasted one of the most feared attacks in European football.