Manchester United’s summer pursuit for a striker is ‘100% on’ - with two new names linked to the club

Manchester United are targeting a striker in the summer transfer window, as confirmed by interim manager Ralf Rangnick last week.

United have an ageing frontline with 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and 35-year-old Edinson Cavani their main options up top.

The latter could depart Old Trafford at the end of the season due to his contract expiring and this is just another reason why the Red Devils are said to be prioritising the position in the summer.

As per Fabrizio Romano, the club will pursue a striker with ‘many options’ set to be discussed with whoever is appointed as United’s next permanent manager.

Speaking on the FIVE podcast with Rio Ferdinand and guests, Romano said: “They have many options. This is for the midfielder, this is for the striker. They have to decide together with the new manager because it depends on what kind of striker you want to get.”

Several highly rated strikers have been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer, including Erling Haaland, but Romano doesn’t think a move for the Borussia Dortmund No.9 will materialise, instead suggesting other potential targets.

“We always have numerous rumours around Haaland but it’s more than difficult so I don’t see Haaland as a realistic option at the moment for Man United.

“I would keep an eye on other names. I saw the name around Lautaro Matinez. He could be one of the names on the list for the summer.

“We had also the name of [Christopher] Nkunku that is doing great with [RB] Leipzig and he’s a player that Ralf Rangnick knows so well.”

It’s interesting to note the links with Nkunku given he isn’t a traditional striker, like Martinez, and more of an attacking-midfielder.

Romano added that due to having several options on their list, the Red Devils ‘will take their time’ with identifying their next striker, but will ‘100 %’ have a new one .

“This is why they will take their time, but 100 % Man United will have a new striker,” he said.

“They need a striker and this is why they started the process to look at options but nothing has been decided yet.”