Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has indicated that the club are unlikely to pursue a new striker during this summer’s transfer. The Red Devils parted ways with Zlatan Ibrahimovic on mutual consent in March, but that has not changed the manager’s priorities for the summer.
In a report covered by The Independent, Mourinho ruled out the possibility of signing a new replacement for Ibrahimovic, by citing that the club have plenty of players who can fulfil the centre-forward position.
Obviously Romelu Lukaku has cemented his spot upfront, and the Portuguese tactician believes the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial could slot into the role, if required in a two-man frontline.
“If we don’t have Lukaku for different reasons, we can change systems and play with two and give more mobility to, for example, Marcus and Martial together, Marcus and Alexis together, so we are not going to go for another number nine,” Mourinho said.
A number of high-profile strikers including Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann have been linked of late, but it appears clear the Portuguese tactician has no plans to bolster the centre-forward department any further.
Lukaku has done a credible job in the frontline with 26 goals across all competitions, but there will nevertheless be a concern with the options behind him, considering Sanchez, Martial and Rashford are more fond to playing in the wider positions.
Moreover, the trio are known for their pace attributes on the field, and any injury setback for Lukaku may leave United exposed at the front without the presence of a physically-imposing marksman to suit Mourinho’s tactics.
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