Manchester United can sign their perfect Anthony Martial replacement for free this summer

It was not all that long ago that Manchester United's pursuit of a striker was shaping up to be a straight shootout between Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen.

The two goal-getters had cemented themselves at the top of the club's shortlist, with Tottenham Hotspur star Kane earmarked as manager Erik ten Hag's top target back in March. Napoli ace Osimhen was also under serious consideration and Reds supporters were optimistic that the club's striker search would be solved with the addition of one of those two.

But now that the window is officially open for business, United's search for a striker is wide open, with it virtually impossible to predict who will be spearheading the club's attack come the opening weekend of the 2023/24 campaign. United are working under the assumption that Tottenham will not sell Kane, despite his contract being up next summer, and ongoing uncertainty with the takeover means that it is not yet clear just how big Ten Hag's transfer budget will be.

It means United, with respect, are being forced to consider lesser options than Kane and Osimhen, such as Atalanta ace Rasmus Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt. Though they are both talented players, they are not yet in the same category as Kane or Osimhen, who scored 63 goals between them this season.

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But even if United are lucky enough to bring Kane, Osimhen or a striker of similar standard to Old Trafford this summer, there is a general consensus that Ten Hag might need to bring in an additional forward to provide both competition and support. United played 62 matches this season and it resulted in many members of Ten Hag's squad running on empty towards the end of the campaign, pointing