Manchester United have an unexpected transfer priority they did not want for summer

Manchester United's strikers were signed for over £100million and have scored 11 goals between them this season, so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out a new forward is required.

For a club that has a history of signing brilliant strikers like Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and Robin van Persie, the current options don't compare.

United are a different club these days - they deserve to be in the bottom half of the table this term - and football has evolved but something hasn't changed: you still have a better chance of winning games and trophies if you sign striker who can consistently find the back of the net.

Scoring goals as a centre-forward is an artform, and selecting the correct finish and executing it practically every time is what separates the world-class strikers from the ordinary.

United signed Rasmus Hojlund in a deal worth £72million in 2023 because they believed he could develop into a world-class striker but it will take time for him to reach his full potential.

Hojlund shouldered the burden of scoring the bulk of the team's goals last season, which was unfair given his age and lack of experience. He is still just 21 years old and might not be a 20-goal per season forward until he's entered his late 20s, which is a slight problem for United.

United need a goalscorer immediately - not in five years. Hojlund's potential is obvious and he's shown enough to suggest he can become a more consistent goalscorer, but his attempt in the first half against Liverpool at the weekend was a reminder that he's got a long way to go.

The angle was tight for Hojlund but it was certainly workable and his selection of finish and execution was poor, which allowed Liverpool goalkeeper