Man United's past Victor Osimhen transfer decision speaks volumes for Ruben Amorim

Manchester United have prioritised signing a striker this summer for the third year in succession.

Twelve months ago, it was Joshua Zirkzee who they wanted to support Rasmus Hojlund - after releasing Anthony Martial. That move came after the arrival of Hojlund the previous summer. However, the Denmark star was not the only option they were interested in back then.

Harry Kane was the club's prime target, having been long-time admirers. Goncalo Ramos had also impressed then-manager Erik ten Hag - who was a believer that Mohammed Kudus could excel in the Premier League. All three of those players moved on during that summer window.

Victor Osimhen, though, did not despite interest from United. Instead, the club committed £72million on Hojlund despite him totting-up the same number of goals in Serie A (nine) as Edin Dzeko and ex-West Ham winger Felipe Anderson.

Osimhen, in comparison, had one short of those three combined - plus five more than anybody else across Italy's top-flight en route to Napoli winning the Scudetto. Fast-forward two years, little has changed.

United still need a goalscorer after missing out on their top target - Liam Delap - and Osimhen is again coming off scoring 26 goals in a league season, albeit this time in Turkey. Viktor Gyokeres also appears set on Arsenal, leaving limited available options on the market.

The Nigeria international appears very much that with seemingly no way back in Naples. But it all could have been so different for both parties if United had pursued Osimhen instead of Hojlund.

Ruben Amorim would presumably have one less issue to solve this summer, if he were even the head coach of the club in this alternate reality where Ten Hag could still be in charge - if the club managed