Manchester United should consider hijacking Jose Mourinho free transfer swoop for striker

With the current lack of attacking options present at Manchester United, rumours continue to grow around almost every striker in Europe. The latest on the list is 28-year-old Italian striker Andrea Belotti.

Belotti would be available for a free transfer given that his contract with Torino is now up. He has been linked with a move to Serie A side Roma to join Jose Mourinho. However, there could be a case for United to hijack this deal and bring the forward to Old Trafford.

The Italian’s forward’s stats, however, leave something to be desired. Last season he only managed to score eight goals and provide one assist across 23 appearances for his former club. The season before was slightly better, when he registered 13 goals and seven assists over 36 appearances.

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Clearly these are not the kinds of numbers required of a first-choice striker at United. Yet, given that he would be a free transfer, so perhaps there is a case to be made for him being a rotational option. With a long season ahead for United, their squad needs reinforcements, and this could be a viable option.

Having to deal with Europa League football and an interrupted season due to the World Cup in Qatar, signing a player like Belotti might not be the worst move United could make, even if it wouldn't inspire much confidence.

There is a very fine balance that United need to find right now. Planning for the future is a necessity, that much is clear, given United's need to build a title-winning team for the coming years, rather than the here and now.

Having said that, the team needs to improve now, football matches need to be won this season. With that in mind, offering a short-term