'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic stunned the football fans after netting 28 times in 46 appearances, across all competitions last season - quite a challenging task to pull off for a 35-year-old, considering how the Premier League is a hard nut to crack for newcomers.
However, an injury back in April kept the Swede out for seven months and he has been inflicted with another, in just a month after returning to action.
It is quite clear that Ibrahimovic, aged 36 now, is nearing retirement and injuries are devouring his final days as a footballer. But, the question is, can United wait for him to return back to his former best?
That seems quite unpredictable, and also considering the condition United are currently in, they need a serious goal-poacher who can score goals on a regular basis. With Lukaku underfiring and Ibrahimovic nearing the end of his contract, it will be in United's best interests to start scouting for a top-class striker.
That being said, here are 5 forwards the Red Devils can look at in order to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
#5 Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
The ex-Monaco man is probably the best option United have on their hands right now. Anthony Martial has proved how menacing he can be as the spearhead, netting 17 times in his first season at the club.
This season too, the Frenchman has been at his best, bamboozling defences with his trick feints, pace and clinical finishing. He has already notched 9 goals and 5 assists this season while playing on the left, and could be used to a more devastating effect if Jose Mourinho grants him the favoured striker role.
It remains to be seen whether the Portuguese gaffer agrees on using him as the forward to partner the underfire Romelu Lukaku at Old Trafford. However, he'd be an able replacement for Zlatan, considering that they won't have to depend on the transfer market.
#4 Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)
The world's biggest club's have been intently following Mauro Icardi's rise at Inter Milan. The Argentine has been in red-hot form for the Nerazzurri, scoring 18 goals in just 22 league games, so far this season.
The fact that Inter are bereft of UEFA Champions League football makes him even more accessible; with the right deal, he can be signed in the ongoing winter transfer window itself. However, there have been no reports linking the Red Devils to Icardi and the Argentinan has already stated his fierce desire to stay with the Italian outfit.
Nevertheless, seeing how he is challenging Ciro Immobile for the Capocannoniere this season, Mauro Icardi is worth a shot in the summer, if not in January.
#3 Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
Paulo Dybala has scored 17 goals in 28 appearances across all competitions this season, and it's not very surprising that European heavyweights Barcelona and Real Madrid are in line for his signature. A recent fake tweet sent the United supporters into a frenzy over the possibility of the Argentinian's move to the club in this transfer window.
The transfer right now looks highly impossible, because Dybala would miss out on the rest of the UEFA Champions League campaign, having already appeared for Juventus in the competition. However, his desire of being reunited with Paul Pogba still remains a faint glimmer of hope for the Old Trafford faithful, who wish to see him end up in Manchester.
The 24-year-old is just approaching the prime of his career and there cannot be a better time than now for Manchester United to sign him. He seems like a worthy and a perfect long-term replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford.
#2 Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
Perhaps if Atletico Madrid hadn't been punished with a transfer ban last summer, we might have already seen Antoine Griezmann playing in the red shirt. The 26-year-old is in his prime, and the presence of Angel Correa, Diego Costa and Fernando Torres means Los Colchoneros have enough attacking options to replace him.
The Red Devils were heavily linked to the Frenchman last year and the Atletico striker was rumoured to have agreed to personal terms with the club. However, over the course of the last six months, Barcelona have emerged as leading candidates for his signature, signalling stiff competition for Manchester United.
Griezmann has 8 goals and 6 assists this season and can do better at the height of his powers. His move in this window looks highly impossible, but United can certainly get their man with the right bid in the coming summer transfer window.
#1 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
A host of European giants have been trying to poach Harry Kane from the clutches of Tottenham for over a year now. The 24-year-old has already won the Premier League Golden Boot two times, cementing himself as probably the best no. 9 of the current generation.
Harry Kane has been menacing as always, scoring 26 times in 27 games in all competitions this season, and is already the first in line for the Golden Boot this season. The Englishman recently proved his dead-eye instincts in front of goal, beating Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of goals scored in 2017.
The hurdle is, Daniel Levy will make it really tough for Ed Woodward and Co. to negotiate a deal for the Englishman since he would prefer his star joining an overseas club rather than any of his direct rivals.
But, if the Red Devils do strike a deal for him, all the hard work will be worth it and they certainly won't be disappointed.
