Manchester United fans need to accept harsh Viktor Gyokeres transfer reality

Sir Jim Ratcliffe declared earlier this year that he wants Manchester United to get ahead of the curve when it comes to finding the next big-name star in the transfer market.

United's recruitment has been one of the most scrutinised areas of the club's failures over the past 11 years and Ineos arrived at Old Trafford in February with the ambition of correcting those long-terms wrongs.

However, just three months into this campaign, United are already facing criticism for investing €42.5million in Joshua Zirkzee. The Netherlands international arrived at Old Trafford from Bologna in July and has scored just one goal in his first 15 appearances for the club.

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Already, the 23-year-old is at risk of being categorised in the same bracket of flops as Antony. A lot of United fans are struggling to work out exactly what it is the former Anderlecht man brings to the team.

United, long before the summer transfer window opened, knew they had to bring in a striker to replace the outgoing Anthony Martial and provide adequate support and rotation for Rasmus Hojlund. The Dane, regardless of who United signed in the summer, was always poised to remain the club's first-choice striker, but at the age of 21 there is huge pressure on his shoulders.

United were linked with a crop of strikers, including Ivan Toney, but United were never going to sign another forward in the region of £50m. That is why reports suggesting United could try and lure Viktor Gyokeres to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon are fanciful.

The impending arrival of Ruben Amorim, who will officially take