Man Utd to rival Ruud van Nistelrooy for ‘extraordinary’ young striker compared with Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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Manchester United’s bid to strengthen up front has taken an interesting twist.

With goals being a huge concern for Manchester United, January has seen links to a number of striker options to bolster the ranks.

Joshua Zirkzee may yet depart to Juventus, while the consensus on Rasmus Hojlund is he isn’t ready to lead the line.

In order to upgrade, elite strikers like Victor Osimhen has been considered as an option. While Ruben Amorim will be keen to bring Viktor Gyokeres to Old Trafford.

Less polished options like Samu Aghehowa has been linked with United of late, but now a prospect from Italy has been suggested.

• READ: Who is Ruud van Nistelrooy? Inside the life of Man Utd legend, including his PSV management and coaching career

Manchester United target Francesco Pio Esposito

With an eye to the future, we assume, United have now been linked with Inter Milan loanee, Francesco Pio Esposito.

It is according to Alfredo Pedulla that United are now looking into signing the 19-year-old who has scored nine goals in Serie B for Spezia this season.

The article praises his ‘extraordinary’ performances this season, before stating there is a great deal of interest in the Inter starlet.

Several Serie A teams are said to be courting Esposito, with Turin in the lead, although he dreams of becoming a regular for Inter.

It gets interesting as United are said to be monitoring the situation, along with Leicester City and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

• READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date

Esposito has been compared with Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Despite his youth, Esposito has scored seven in 11 for Italy’s U21 side – representing his knack for goal-scoring.

According to the Football Talent Scout, Jacek Kulig, United could be signing the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

This comparison likely stems from Esposito being a brilliant link-up striker as he ranks in the 87th percentile for shot-creating actions among his position peers, as per FBRef.

Esposito ranks in the 89th percentile for progressive passes and the 96th for touches in an opponent’s box.

However, his most impressive quality could be that he on average wins 5.58 aerials per 90 which is in the 95th percentile – standing at 6ft 2in, which helps.