Manchester United are expected to intensify their pursuit of a more prominent striker than Liam Delap should they fail to secure a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, according to recent reports. Strengthening their attacking line is viewed as a critical objective this summer for both the club and prospective new manager Ruben Amorim, who is believed to have already started identifying possible transfer targets.
One of the main reasons for the urgency in bringing in a top-level forward is the underwhelming performance of Rasmus Højlund during the 2024–25 campaign. After joining United with high expectations, Højlund has struggled to make a lasting impact in his second season at Old Trafford. His lack of consistency and inability to deliver in crucial moments have reportedly led the club’s hierarchy to consider moving him on. Despite his struggles in the Premier League, the Danish striker continues to attract interest from Serie A clubs, where he previously impressed and where his reputation remains intact. A potential return to Italy is being explored as United weigh up options to reshape their frontline.
In addition, Joshua Zirkzee, another attacking option currently on United’s books or being monitored, has shown flashes of quality but is seen as more effective when deployed in one of the roles behind the main striker, rather than leading the line himself. His contributions in deeper, more creative positions have been valuable, but he has not yet demonstrated the clinical finishing ability or physical presence expected of a lone striker at a top Premier League club.
Chido Obi, a younger and less experienced player, also features in United’s attacking setup. However, his lack of top-flight experience makes him an unlikely candidate to be entrusted with the main striking responsibilities anytime soon. The club sees him more as a long-term project rather than an immediate solution to their goalscoring problems.
As a result, United’s recruitment team is working on identifying a higher-caliber striker to lead the line next season. The emphasis is on finding a player with a proven track record at the highest level who can thrive under pressure and make a swift impact. A new name has reportedly surfaced on their shortlist, signaling that the club is already exploring alternatives in case their fallback option, Delap, does not fit the profile required. The outcome of their Champions League qualification efforts is likely to heavily influence both their budget and the caliber of players they can realistically attract during the summer transfer window.
