A new No.9 and No.1 plus two more signings - what Manchester United have to do in the transfer window

Sign a striker

You can imagine how dismayed United supporters are after Chelsea signed a France international goalscorer from one of the big five leagues for a reasonable fee after their worst season in nearly three decades. Christopher Nkunku was briefly of interest to United and he would have been a worthy figurehead had Chelsea not been so quick off the mark.

Instead, United could end up paying around double the £52million Chelsea have parted with for Nkunku. RB Leipzig should have had Chelsea over a barrel as Nkunku's contract still had three years to run and Chelsea have thrown money around as recklessly as schoolchildren in a food fight.

United's pursuit of Harry Kane went cold last month as Tottenham gave no indication they would sell him. Erik ten Hag has held video calls with Rasmus Hojlund, now reputedly valued at €100m by Atalanta, and United have been keeping tabs on Nkunku's compatriot Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt. Muani's deal runs as long as Hojlund's and his goalscoring record is superior. Victor Osimhen has the highest valuation of all the strikers but could remain at Napoli.

It possibly brings United back to Ten Hag's preferred pick: Kane. United have not even attempted to drive a wedge between Kane and Spurs when it might spark some movement.

Also read: United might be letting Ten Hag do what Guardiola did

United have known for the best part of a year they would need a goalscorer this summer and the profligate evidence last season underscored that. They agreed a £90m deal to make Romelu Lukaku their new No.9 and that was six years ago.

If United end the transfer window with Anthony Martial still their No.9 they can expect to be back in the Europa League in 2024.

Mount meandering

Unite