Manchester United can repeat Robin van Persie trick with massive summer transfer

As Wout Weghorst continues to run around the pitch giving all his best effort but hardly ever sticking the ball in the back of the net, Manchester United's desperate need for a quality striker becomes increasingly obvious.

Erik ten Hag has been hamstrung this season which makes the drastic improvements he's made at United all the more impressive. Anthony Martial looked bright at the start of the Dutchman's reign but multiple injuries have made him completely unreliable. The Frenchman hasn't completed 90 minutes for over two years and has been earmarked as a player to sell this summer.

The only other central striker United started the season with was Cristiano Ronaldo. It was obvious before a ball was even kicked that the static and ageing star would not suit Ten Hag's high-pressing style but the Portuguese's ego had a far more destructive impact than anyone could have predicted. He moaned, he stropped off and eventually he burned all the bridges by forcing his exit via the means of an explosive interview.

Read more: Martial returns to full training

The departure left United drastically low on options and only the emergence of Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford's willingness to play where required got them through a difficult period. When the January window opened, though, there wasn't enough in the budget for anything other than a loan move so in came Weghorst. The big Dutchman has earned praise for his tireless work and surprisingly sharp link-up play but his lack of quality in the box is beginning to grate on many.

It appeared Weghorst was signed as a good option off the bench but his shortcomings have been laid bare as Ten Hag has had to rely on a striker deemed not worth keeping in the Championship by