Erik ten Hag and company now view the position of a striker as their top priority due to Manchester United’s dismal goal-scoring performance in the early going of the season.

They have only scored 24 goals thus far in the Premier League, a total that only three teams can claim is lower.

Burnley, Sheffield United, and Crystal Palace are those teams. To put it briefly, it’s just not good enough.

Despite his recent improvement, Rasmus Hojlund’s meagre two goals in the domestic league for United in 2023–24 perfectly captures the team’s offensive struggles.

So why not make a striker signing? That’s the query that a lot of fans have.

Manchester United may sign a Bundesliga player.

Given the club’s unsatisfactory financial fair play status, it’s likely that any large purchases will have to wait until the summer transfer window.

This could lead to the despised short-term loan move being favoured once more. Although Karim Benzema has been mentioned, transfer insider Dean Jones has dismissed the rumours as “impossible.”

Real Madrid, Ronaldo, Karim, and Ballon dor
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting of Bayern Munich is an additional choice. The Manchester team was amusingly linked to a transfer last year, but a report claims that they are now stepping up their interest.

Seb Ecrivain, a French journalist and editor of Weekend Sports, announced on social media on Sunday night that the Bayern striker could be signed this month.

Recently, Fabrizio Romano hinted that the United hierarchy would consider him, saying to GIVEMESPORT: “It could be crucial for Bayern to have an experienced option like Choupo-Moting to be competitive in both the Bundesliga and Champions League in the second half of the season.” Choupo-Moting is open to joining Manchester United, but they still want to keep the player at the team. Thus, I believe United is in charge.

United Champions League, Rasmus Hojlund Man
How Wout Weghorst and Choupo-Moting are comparable

Even if it would seem like a pointless analogy, United has already experienced the perilous journey of an elderly short-term player.

Many players have experienced it over the years, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Falcao, Edinson Cavani, and even Cristiano Ronaldo, who should be criticised for how his second stint at Old Trafford unfolded despite his 24-goal season total upon his return.

Man United’s recent acquisition of a striker

Participant

Games

Objectives

Helps

Falcao

29

4

5.

Ibrahimovic

53

29

10

Cavani

59

19

7.

Ronaldo

53

27

5.

Weghorst

31

2.

3.

Transfermarkt statistics.

Nonetheless, Wout Weghorst stands out as one of their worst purchases from the previous two transfer windows.

Weghorst was the answer after Ronaldo left and moved to Saudi Arabia. The strong and towering forward had excelled for the Netherlands during the World Cup in Qatar last winter.

After his loan in Turkey was terminated, he signed a six-month loan agreement with Ten Hag and left Burnley.

With Wout Weghorst Man, the Premier League
Regretfully, the Dutchman’s record was largely tragic. The player’s tears at the Carabao Cup final made for a memorable moment, but the target man must have wished that was all he was remembered for.

Actually, it’s his horrible track record in front of goal that makes supporters tremble. With just two goals in 31 games, the 31-year-old’s time in the northwest of England came to an end. Definitely a grim read.

Choupo-Moting, on the other hand, scored 17 goals in 30 games last season, a significantly higher rate of production in front of goal. They would be far more difficult to defend against if he could do it under Ten Hag. Sadly, his 2023–2024 term has been more difficult.

Chopo-Moting: The previous five seasons

Time of year (club)

Games

Objectives

Helps

2019–20 (PSG)

20

Six

1.

2020–2021 (Bayern)

32

9.

1.

2021/22 (Bayern)

26

9.

5.

2022–2023 (Bayern)

30

17

4

2023–2024 (Bayern)

21

3.

0

Transfermarkt statistics.

Only three games have the Cameroon international started for the Bundesliga because he has been subordinate to Harry Kane, which is never a simple task. His total number of seasonal goals, however, is just three.

If United believes that a player of his quality can solve their offensive problems, they have obviously forgotten a lot of the lessons from the past. This would undoubtedly be just another Weghorst imitation. The fact that Serge Gnabry once declared his colleague to be “the best target man in the world” shouldn’t stop them. Amazing phrases.

Yes, Hojlund would benefit from an experienced manager, and yes, United needs more offensive potency, but what good is it if they can’t consistently put the ball in the net?

Although there is little to no danger associated with a six-month loan, Ten Hag already has the t-shirt from this event, and it didn’t fit him. Their downfall in the last third would not be solved by signing Choupo-Moting.