As the 2015/16 EPL season draws to a close, it looks like the hard work has just begun for one team – Manchester United. A turbulent season has them sitting in 5th position in the Premier League, four points adrift of rivals Manchester City with only six games to go.
Although a top four finish is not out of the question yet, it looks unlikely, given the Red Devils’ inconsistent form and a lack of quality in their squad.
Through this turmoil, the one really bright spark for United has been the form of Anthony Martial. Still only 20, the Frenchman looks like a star in the making and has already shown evidence of his prodigious talent in outstanding performances against Southampton and Liverpool earlier this season.
Even though Louis van Gaal has deployed him on the left flank for much of the 2015/16 campaign, playing as a striker is certainly not beyond the tricky Frenchmen.
But with Wayne Rooney on the wrong side of 30 and looking more like a No. 9 rather than an out and out goal scorer, it looks like Anthony Martial could use some help to ensure United are able to challenge for top honours next season. Here, we look at 5 potential strikers who could form a lethal partnership with the Frenchmen up front in 2016/17.
1) Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The bad boy of football. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is, without question, one of the greatest players on the planet today. His record speaks for itself.
The Swedish striker has won trophies across Europe with title winning campaigns in Italy with Inter Milan and AC Milan, in Spain with Barcelona and in France with Paris Saint-Germain, where he currently plies his trade. He is also the captain and record goalscorer for his national team with 62 goals and counting.
He is skillful and is prolific in front of goal, having scored more than 350 goals for club and country, and has loads of experience with almost two decades of playing the beautiful game. Above all, he has already stated that this will be his last season is Paris.
On the other hand, he is 34. Although in a recent interview, Ibrahimovic stated that he is in the prime of his footballing life, and the stats definitely back that. With him being the leading scorer in Ligue 1 this season, a lot of managers will still think twice before signing the mercurial Swedish striker because of the age factor.
His lack of exposure to the physical English game compared to other leagues could also hinder his move. But there is no doubting the talent. At best, he could be termed as a short term fix. But considering the season United are having, even a temporary solution would do just fine.
2) Edinson Cavani
The Uruguayan has long been feared by opponents world over. He made his name at Italian club Palermo and his prolific form ensured he was soon bought by Napoli. It was in Naples that he formed a lethal triumvirate with Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi that terrorised defences. He also lifted the Coppa Italia in the 2011-12 season.
His success at Napoli saw him being courted by French champions Paris Saint-Germain, whom he joined in 2013. Since then, he has lifted the Ligue 1 title thrice and has scored 20 plus goals in two out of the three seasons. And at 29, one could say that his best years are in front of him. All this put together makes him the right man for Manchester United.
On the flip side, Cavani has always been under the shadow of Zlatan Ibrahimovic at PSG. And with Ibrahimovic certain to leave the Parc des Princess at the end of the current season, Cavani might finally get the spotlight that his performances over the past couple of years have deserved.
So, will he want to leave an opportunity that he has waited for, for three years in order to travel to Manchester’s shores? The Old Trafford faithful would love to think so.
3) Antoine Griezmann
The French international has grown leaps and bounds since his move to current employers, Atletico Madrid from Real Sociedad in 2014. Within a span of just two years, he has become, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, one of the top 5 footballers currently playing in world football.
His statistics are definitely impressive, with him already having scored 54 goals in only 98 appearances for Atleti. Along with his goals, it is his work rate under Cholo Simeone that has endeared him to his fans. And at 25, he definitely looks like a good investment for any club including Manchester United.
Add to this the fact that both Griezmann and Martial have already played with each other for France, and it could make for a fearsome front two for United.
But the question is will he want to leave a team that is consistently fighting for domestic and European titles for one that might not even be playing in Europe’s top-tier competition next year? Well, it is a question only Griezmann can answer. United fans would be hoping he says ‘yes’.
4) Harry Kane
One player who would not have to travel too far to become a Red. Harry Kane’s rise at Tottenham Hotspur had been one of the stories of the Premier League last season. His emphatic performances this season, having already scored 22 league goals, has poured cold water over doubts that he was a one season wonder.
Kane’s prolific form has propelled Spurs to second in the Premier League and has also ensured that he will travel to this summer’s Euros as England manager Roy Hodgson’s first choice striker.
Buying him might cost United a fortune, but given his recent form, it could be money well spent. Young, skillful and English, Harry Kane would definitely be a dream signing for any Manchester United fan.
But as with Griezmann, leaving a team on the up for a team that doesn’t really know where it’s going could be a big gamble. Will Kane be willing to take this risk? United fans would certainly hope so.
5) Marcus Rashford
Perhaps the only player apart from Martial, Chris Smalling and David de Gea, who has done his reputation some good this season is the prodigious academy product Marcus Rashford. Thrust into the limelight by van Gaal due to injuries to other recognised players, the pugnacious 18-year old has taken his chance and how!
After scoring on his debut against Danish team FC Midtjyllland, Rashford really announced himself to global audiences with his brace against Arsenal and the winner in the Manchester derby. Although his performances of late have been timid, he is still learning and regular game time will only help his cause.
Born and brought up in Manchester, played for United’s youth teams and now playing for the seniors, he is the dream player for every Manchester United fan. But there is a big ‘if’ that comes with choosing Rashford over a proven goal scorer.
He is inexperienced, will take a while to reach the level of physicality the Premier League demands and does not invoke the same fear in opposition players that some of the other names on this list do.
Although it would be much cheaper to invest in Rashford rather than buy a striker, at the moment, it looks more likely that United will splurge the cash to bring a big name to Old Trafford.
