Man United could have signed one of Europe's most prolific strikers if Ineos had arrived a year earlier

Just three games into the Premier League campaign, Manchester United's attacking output is already under scrutiny.

The opening 270 minutes of United's league campaign yielded just two goals, prompting questions about whether they were wrong not to sign an established goalscorer during the summer transfer window.

In an attempt to ease the pressure on Rasmus Hojlund, United swooped for Joshua Zirkzee, signing him from Bologna for €42.5million.

United had made the addition of a forward one of their leading objectives, and sporting director Dan Ashworth said Zirkzee had been identified as a player who is "ready to make an impact" at Old Trafford.

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The Netherlands international did exactly that, scoring on his debut against Fulham. He also had chances to add to his tally in the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool prior to the international break.

But despite Zirkzee only being three games into his United career, a lot is being made of United's failure to bring in a more established goalscorer to help Hojlund. The Dane scored 16 times last season and United are hopeful he will surpass that tally this term.

United never planned to spend big on another striker just a year after signing Hojlund, meaning a signing of Zirkzee's profile was always likely. Links connecting United with England international Ivan Toney were fanciful.

Reports connecting them with Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres were also wide of the mark. He has a €100m release clause in his contract and there was no chance of United activating that.

The Swede, 26, is currently one of the most attractive strikers