Erik ten Hag has stated his desire for Manchester United to sign a new striker ahead of next season.
The Red Devils are still fighting on three fronts this season, attempting to finish in the top four of the Premier League while also competing in the FA Cup and Europa League.
United’s pursuit of glory to add to the EFL Cup title won earlier this year has occurred despite a lack of central attacking options.
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Wout Weghorst was signed on loan in January after Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract was terminated before the World Cup in Qatar, and while he has performed admirably, he is not the calibre of striker United requires.
Ten Hag expects to change that when the hiring window reopens, expressing the need for such a hire.
“Everyone is different, obviously, but for a striker the main thing is to score goals by any method, that is so far ahead of anything else,” he told Sky Sports.
“We need a striker who scores goals because we have ability in the team to put balls in the box, so we need a striker to finish.
“We have to build a new future and we need a striker who not only scores goals but contributes by linking up play very well and pressing, which is very important.”
While bringing in a new striker is clearly a priority for the upcoming transfer window, United will have to look within to make a difference until the season’s end.
Ten Hag wants his team to be more ruthless after blowing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Sevilla in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.
“First it has to come out of the development of the team, so we are aware that when we are dominant in a game, we have to kill the game,” he added.
“We didn’t do that and we let the opponent back in the tie. That was not good, it’s a bad habit we have to hammer out.
“We demand from the players and the players demand from each other.
“You do your job always to 100 per cent, there are no ifs, buts or maybes, you have to deliver the performance in every circumstance.”
On Sunday, Manchester United travels to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.