Manchester United vs Leeds will emphasise Erik ten Hag's £50m transfer challenge

Manchester United will line up against Leeds United in their pre-season opener without a recognised senior striker in the squad.

With Marcus Rashford not involved after international duty and Anthony Martial not travelling as he continues to recover from injury, the options available to Erik ten Hag extend to wide forwards such as Jadon Sancho and Amad, and young prospects.

Shola Shoretire, Joe Hugill, Noam Emeran and Omari Forson are the quartet of youngsters seeking a role against the Championship club. None of those four will be regulars in the first team next season and with Martial's patchy injury record and Rashford's desire to play out wide, the necessity for a fresh Old Trafford centre forward is emphasised.

Want to join our MUFC Pro club for a totally ad-free version of the MEN’s Man United app packed with premium features? Click here

ALSO READ: Why United have left Henderson, Van de Beek and Martial out of Leeds squad

Rasmus Hojlund seems the man most likely to fill the void with the Reds in talks with the Atalanta striker over a move. The Denmark international is far from the finished article, understandably so given he is only 20, but he has promise and potential, earning comparisons to Erling Haaland.

The Dane impressed in the second half of the season in Serie A, netting eight of his nine goals down the stretch while he had a flying start to his international career which saw him net a hat-trick against Finland among a tally of six goals in six appearances.

Question marks will surround his ability to hit the ground running in the Premier League but he has pace and power to trouble defences at the focal point of Ten Hag's attack while United's striker coach Benni McCarthy could undoubtedly help