Man Utd will do ‘everything possible’ to sign ‘one of the best strikers’ in Europe this month

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Manchester United are now set to intensify efforts to sign a striker who played in the World Cup final in 2022.

The desire for a new forward is no surprise, considering Manchester United’s attack is statistically one of the league’s very worst at scoring goals.

United have scored just 23 goals this season in the Premier League – underperforming the expected goals tally by 8.17.

This underperformance is only bettered by Bournemouth (+12.42), Crystal Palace (+10.92) and Southampton (+12.16).

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have a combined five league goals – which is a horrendous tally that is almost forcing United’s hand to strengthen.

The need is only set to grow, with Marcus Rashford expected to leave this month. So now it’s been reported that Ruben Amorim will demand Rashford is replaced – with one player standing out as the top option.

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

Manchester United now have concrete interest in Randal Kolo Muani

With United’s forward line needing to be strengthened, it has now emerged that PSG’s Randal Kolo Muani is a major target.

Laurie Whitwell explained on the Talk of the Devils podcast: “Ruben Amorim will want him replaced if he goes, and that brings us to Randal Kolo Muani.”

The Frenchman will command a fee of £50m according to ESPN, however, PSG would likely accept offers of a loan move with options or obligations to buy included.

After these reports, Florian Plettenberg has taken to X with an update in which he claims United’s efforts to sign Muani are becoming concrete.

United are doing ‘everything possible’ to secure Muani this month and has undergone talks with his management, with contact with PSG expected next.

Ineos is aiming to secure a loan deal with an option to buy but faces plenty of interest from across Europe, including from Chelsea.

• READ MORE: Who is Marcus Rashford? Inside the life of Man Utd’s book-writing, government-tackling ace

Can Kolo Muani fill Marcus Rashford’s boots?

So if Muani is signed, it is likely to be in place of Rashford.

However, considering names like Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres were originally linked as replacements, Muani is a less exciting name.

This season, Muani has only scored two goals in 10 games – 358 minutes in Ligue 1 – and last season he scored nine in 39 games.

• PSG – 2024/25: 14 games, 2 goals, 1 assist
• PSG – 2023/24: 39 games, 9 goals, 5 assists
• Frankfurt – 2022/23: 45 games, 23 goals, 14 assists

Muani to date in his career for PSG is not filling us with confidence that United will become a better team with him in the squad. However, if he finds his Eintracht Frankfurt form from 2022/23, then he would be a solid addition.

Ultimately, signing 26-year-old Muani for £50m would be a disaster and United should be aiming higher.

Muani has been lauded as “one of the best strikers in Europe” by his France teammate Matteo Guendouzi. Which he certainly has the qualities to be, but right now swapping Rashford for Muani would be disappointing.