MANCHESTER UNITED have four strikers on their shortlist ahead of the January transfer window, according to reports.
Only Everton, Crystal Palace and Southampton have scored fewer goals than the Red Devils in the Premier League, with new boss Ruben Amorim identifying the position as a problem area.
Summer signing Joshua Zirkzee has scored just one goal in all competitions and Rasmus Hojlund has found the back of the net twice this season.
Marcus Rashford scored as the striker against Ipswich, but Amorim is still keen on getting in a new No9.
Sky Germany report that United have drawn up a four-man shortlist for moves in January.
Bayer Leverkusen star Victor Boniface is admired by Man Utd after he fired Xabi Alonso’s side to an undefeated domestic double last season.
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But Boniface, 23, who has struggled with injuries, could prove too expensive and would only become available in the summer.
His Nigerian compatriot Victor Osimhen is another being talked about at Old Trafford.
He is on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli after his move to Chelsea collapsed before the start of the season.
Osimhen, 25, has a £110million release clause, though clubs could get him for less as the Italian giants want to sell.
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Man Utd’s four-man striker shortlist
Stats this season:
Victor Boniface: 15 games, eight goals, one assist (Bayer Leverkusen)
Victor Osimhen: 10 games, eight goals, four assists (Galatasaray)
Randal Kolo Muani: 13 games, two goals, one assist (PSG)
Omar Marmoush: 17 games, 14 goals, ten assists (Eintracht Frankfurt)
PSG star Randal Kolo Muani is also on Man Utd’s shortlist after struggling in the French capital.
He has found the back of the net 11 times in 53 games since his £77million deal from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Kolo Muani, 25, could be open to a move to the Premier League, having started just two PSG games this term.
A January loan is seen as realistic and a permanent move possible if United can find the cash.
His replacement at Frankfurt was Omar Marmoush, who is second at the top of the Bundesliga goalscoring charts behind only Harry Kane.
The versatile Egyptian has eleven goals and seven assists this season and his contract expires in 2027.
Marmoush, 25, is rumoured to be available for between £42m to £50m.
Man Utd fans have been left baffled by the omission of Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres, with many hoping the Swede follows Amorim to Manchester.
One supporter said: “Why is Gyokeres not on the list? He would suit us perfectly.
Another added: “Gyokeres is still the best striker in the market.”
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It is not just a striker the new manager wants as he also has his eye on a new left-back.
Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies is reportedly first choice, with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez and AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez the alternatives.
Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man Utd
RUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.
But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.
Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:
VIKTOR GYOKERES
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Cost: £84million
Swede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.
Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.
GONCALO INACIO
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Cost: £50million
Ball-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.
Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.
MORTEN HJULMAND
Age: 25
Position: Midfield
Cost: £40million
Dane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.
He could be the man to replace Casemiro.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
