Ralf Rangnick has said it is ‘obvious’ that Manchester United need to bring in at least two new strikers next season, even if Cristiano Ronaldo remains an important part of the squad.
Despite recently turning 37, Ronaldo has scored more than 20 goals in all competitions for the 16th consecutive season. United have also been increasingly reliant on the veteran, who has scored eight of the team’s last nine goals in the Premier League.
Speculation persists over whether Ronaldo will remain at Old Trafford next season if the club fails to secure Champions League football – which they now look all but certain to miss out on – and how he might fit into the plans of new incoming manager Erik ten Hag.
"This is a question you need to ask Erik ten Hag,” Rangnick told Sky Sports over Ronaldo's future.
"He's showed that he can still be a vital part of this team, but it's obvious the team needs some more strikers. There should be two or three new strikers next season, it's pretty obvious."
Edinson Cavani is leaving the club at the end of a disappointing second season, while Marcus Rashford has had his worst season in front of goal to date and Anthony Martial had scored only once prior to his January loan to Sevilla.
Listen now to 90min's Manchester United podcast, The Promised Land, with Scott Saunders & Rob Blanchette. On this week's show they discuss Ralf Rangnick’s appointment as Austria head coach and whether the club should be building around Cristiano Ronaldo.
90min understands that many within the club expect Ronaldo to leave without Champions League football next season and that he is not necessarily the right fit for Ten Hag.
Even though he is on the way out, Cavani has personally recommended rapidly rising Benfica star Darwin Nunez, his Uruguay international teammate. United have watched Nunez in action this season and have been impressed, but competition is expected to be stiff.
Ten Hag is expected to give Rashford a fresh chance to prove himself.
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Source : 90min