Man United can complete two transfer objectives by signing Michael Olise alternative

With less than a fortnight to go until the transfer window opens for business, reports linking Manchester United with Crystal Palace ace Michael Olise are gathering pace.

United plan to strengthen their attacking options this summer and Olise is a player who has been on the lips of just about everyone in the last few months. He enjoyed an eye-catching 2023/24 campaign at Palace, scoring 10 goals and registering six assists in just 19 games.

Following Antony's struggles since joining the club from Ajax in September 2022 and uncertainty continuing to surround Jadon Sancho's future, it would be no surprise to see United swoop for another right-winger this summer. However, if they do, they need to get it right.

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In a bid to achieve that, it is a multifunctional forward they should go in search of. As decorated as United's current forward line is, they do not have a player who is equally capable of playing both through the middle and out wide.

Marcus Rashford has often flittered between the left-wing and the centre of the attack, but he has admitted on several occasions that he prefers to play out wide. His performances through the middle support that statement.

In recent years, clubs have increased the level of versatility within their forward lines. Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal have all prospered from having multifunctional forwards within their attacking ranks.

Liverpool, for example, have Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo who are all equally capable of playing out wide or through the middle. Gabriel Jesus and