£38m striker Man Utd scouted would have been perfect signing, he can’t stop scoring

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Manchester United had a difficult summer transfer window once again, with the jury still out on the club’s business.

Manchester United had a net spend of £110 million in the summer, splashing the cash on three permanent signings, Mason Mount, Andre Onana, and Rasmus Hojlund. That was an initial £162 million spent before add-ons, with sales bringing the total net down.

Well, four months into the season, there are questions over how the money was spent. Onana has had a very mixed time, while Mount and Hojlund are yet to score or assist a Premier League goal combined.

All three might prove to be excellent additions for the future, but was a ready-made impact required now, particularly up front?

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loans, releases, youth for 2023/24

Hojlund being asked to do too much

Rasmus Hojlund has scored five Champions League goals, but his Premier League struggles reflect the difficulty the 20-year-old has has faced to adjust. He is being asked to do too much, and would be better served as a back-up, at this stage of his career.

That’s why Manchester United are reportedly keen to sign a striker, acknowledging Hojlund is in the wrong role, requiring help.

The Mason Mount money could have been spent on another forward. It would not have stretched to the near £100 million or more Tottenham would have demanded for Harry Kane – but it would have signed Lois Openda.

Manchester United scouted Lois Openda

A report from 90Min in May claimed Manchester United had sent scouts to watch freescoring Lens striker Lois Openda, 23.

Openda scored 21 goals in 38 games for the French side, including setting a record for netting the fastest ever Ligue 1 hat-trick.

His combination of potential and value made him a very tempting target, and Manchester United ultimately passed the opportunity up. Signed with Rasmus Hojlund, he would have been perfect.

Openda signed with RB Leipzig for a fee of £38 million and has scored at a prolific rate. He has 13 goals in 20 games this season, including a well-taken brace at The Etihad this week in the Champions League, showing deadly finishing to make City pay for giving him too much room.

Prior to the 2022/23 season, Openda netted 24 goals in 2021/22 for Club Brugge, before making £7 million move to Lens.

So in the past two-and-a-half seasons combined, Openda has netted 48 goals.

He would be much more useful to Manchester United right now than Mason Mount, and could have made Rasmus Hojlund’s job easier.

Now, with whatever money is available, United must find another striker with a similar combination of deadly finishing and value, who can take pressure off Hojlund, and upgrade on Anthony Martial.