Potential Manchester United target Patrik Schick surpasses Dimitar Berbatov with 22nd goal of the season
Manchester United’s need to sign a striker, or two, has been evident amid an over-reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo this season. Ralf Rangnick believes the club need to sign as many as 10 players.
It was back in February this year when Rangnick described United’s striker shortage as ‘obvious’, quoted by BBC Sport.
Amid the same BBC report, Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick was named as a forward Rangnick could recommend to the Manchester United hierarchy.
Rangnick previously signed Schick on loan for RB Leipzig, and he has certainly been performing well enough this season to attract Manchester United’s attention.
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Patrik Schick’s goalscoring tally surpasses Berbatov
Patrik Schick’s goalscoring tally this season keeps on increasing. He struck his 22nd goal of the season at the weekend as Leverkusen beat Europa League finalists Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0.
This was enough to better Dimitar Berbatov’s best ever numbers for Leverkusen, the 21 goals he scored in the 2005/06 season.
Only one player has ever hit more for the club, Stefan Kiessling, who scored 25 in 2012/13.
Schick is currently the second highest goalscorer in the Bundesliga, ahead of Erling Haaland (21), while Robert Lewandowski has struck 34. Christian Nkunku has 18 league goals.
One of the interesting aspects of a possible deal for Schick is that the Czech Republic are not going to the World Cup, meaning he will get to rest up during late November and December.
This is a factor United may factor in, when assessing potential summer targets. Schick, 26, still has his best years ahead of him, and would be an ideal player to rotate with Cristiano Ronaldo next season.
Alternate options
United have plenty of options up front when it comes to potential signings. Benfica forward Darwin Nunez has struck 34 goals this season, including the one which eliminated Erik ten Hag’s Ajax from the Champions League.
Another very exciting candidate is RB Leipzig’s Nkunku, who has scored 31 goals in all competitions, and is in double figures for assists.
Nkunku is a versatile player who is still only 24, currently enjoying the best season of his career. He also struck a hat-trick against City this season.
The key for United is signing the player Erik ten Hag believes will fit his system best. United have signed the wrong types of players for managers in the past. Schick is more of a traditional forward, in the Sebastien Haller mould, who could appeal to the incoming manager. His goalscoring tally continues to suggest he warrants a look.
