Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has confessed that the club 'obviously' need to sign a new striker when the current season comes to a close.
On the books currently are 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and 34-year-old Edinson Cavani, the latter of whom is out of contract in the summer. Mason Greenwood is also unavailable pending a police investigation.
Having already admitted that Ronaldo and the rest of the squad 'should score more goals', Rangnick also confessed that United will look to bring in a younger striker in the next transfer window.
"This is obvious," Rangnick told a press conference. "Edinson's contract is running out in the summer, and the club needs the best possible centre forward. This is an obvious one. I think everyone is aware of that."
Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland has long been admired at Old Trafford but United have been linked with a whole host of strikers.
Tottenham's Harry Kane is another long-term target, while reports have also tipped United to move for Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Inter's Lautaro Martinez.
United's business could hinge on the future of Ronaldo, who continues to be linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season if things do not improve.
The Portugal international was benched for the recent 1-1 draw with Burnley but came on for the final 22 minutes, after which he charged straight down the tunnel without acknowledging the travelling United fans.
On Ronaldo's actions, Rangnick said: “This is a question you will have to ask Cristiano, I only realised that after the game, or saw it after the game. This is not a question I can answer.
"Cristiano as we all know is 37 and I think he knows himself what he should do or should not do and also what he has to do. As I said, our focus is on those things that can we can influence and develop and why he didn’t do it and why he left the pitch directly after the full-time whistle was perhaps because he was also disappointed that we only got a draw and that he or the team couldn't score.
"Again, this is not any kind of energy we should waste at the wrong ends. We should put our full focus on things we can influence.”
Source : 90min