Man United's striker hunt: Three Premier League options for the 20-time English champions

Manchester United have already boosted their attack this summer with the signing of Matheus Cunha, while Bryan Mbeumo's move from Brentford should be confirmed in the not too distant future.

It is clear that the Red Devils also want to sign a striker this summer, though, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling to produce the goods during the 2024-25 campaign.

Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres and Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike are among the strikers to have been linked with Man United this summer, but the duo are likely to join Arsenal and Liverpool respectively.

With that in mind, Sports Mole picks out three realistic forward targets for a Man United team that will not be able to offer European football to proposed new signings during the 2025-26 campaign.

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

Watkins continues to be linked with a switch to Old Trafford, and it is understood that the England international is interested in a move to the Red Devils despite their lack of European football.

The 29-year-old has scored 87 times in 223 appearances for Aston Villa since his arrival from Brentford, including a record of 75 Premier League goals in 184 outings in England's top flight.

Watkins is proven at the top level, and it has been suggested that he could be available for a fee of somewhere between £50m and £60m during the summer transfer window.

The striker is not a long-term option, but he scored 17 times and registered 14 assists in 54 appearances for Villa last term, and it is not difficult to understand why Man United would be interested.

Cunha-Watkins-Mbeumo would be a very interesting front three for the 20-time English champions.

Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)

Chelsea are believed to be open to offers for Jackson this summer, as the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro at Stamford Bridge have pushed him down the pecking order.

The 24-year-old has an impressive record for the Blues since arriving from Villarreal in 2023, scoring 30 times and registering 12 assists in 81 appearances in all competitions.

In the Premier League, Jackson has 24 goals and 10 assists in 65 appearances, and he has demonstrated during his time at Chelsea that he can be a real force in the Premier League.

Chelsea's interest in Alejandro Garnacho has led to suggestions that a swap deal could occur, with the Argentina international moving to Stamford Bridge and Jackson going in the opposite direction.

The Senegal international would provide an entirely different option for Man United in the final third.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)

Mateta caught the eye with his performances for Palace last season; the 28-year-old scored 17 times in all competitions, including 14 strikes in the top flight of English football.

The Frenchman has scored 46 times and registered 11 assists in 152 appearances for Palace in all competitions, and he could now be ready to make the step to a major club.

Palace are not under any pressure to sell the powerful striker, who has another two years left to run on his contract, but Man United would be a difficult club for him to turn down.

Offers in the region of £40m would likely be seriously considered, and that is unlikely to prove to be a problematic amount for the Red Devils, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia among those set to leave Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window.

Written by
Matt Law