Pundit names four strikers Man Utd should sign as Martial upgrade

Danny Ings

Manchester United should sign a “proper No 9” this summer, with one pundit naming four options better than current pick Anthony Martial.

Martial has enjoyed his best goalscoring season for United this season. The Frenchman netted 23 times in 48 appearances for the club. That comfortably betters the previous best of 17 he netted in 2015/16.

United are desperately trying to bolster their attack by signing Jadon Sancho. Those hopes remain in the balance, however, after a fresh warning from Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.

Any deal for Sancho is likely to cost United in excess of £100m. But there is a growing feeling that, after the emergence of Mason Greenwood, United would be better off signing a new No 9 instead.

Paul Merson stated earlier this month he thinks United should instead spend that money on Harry Kane.

Now another pundit, Jamie O’Hara, has also named four other striking options that would provide an upgrade on Martial.

He reckons Edinson Cavani, Raul Jimenez and Harry Kane would all be obvious additions. He also had a surprise name to throw in the mix too.

“Jimenez, Harry Kane, Cavani, Danny Ings,” O’Hara said on talkSPORT.

 

“There will come a time where [Tottenham] are going to have to [sell Kane] if they don’t win a trophy because it’s Manchester United, they’re the biggest club in the world.”

Explaining his decision to back Ings, O’Hara added: “Danny Ings had a fantastic season at Southampton, for me. Also Jimenez from Wolves.

“If they could get Jimenez or Cavani…”

 

READ MORE: Man Utd to replace error-prone star with West Ham rock as price falls

 

Kane handed United backing

O’Hara, however, reckons Kane would be the best signing for United were they to move for him.

He also doubts whether United can mount a title challenge with Martial leading the line.

O’Hara added: “For me I think they need someone like a, I hate saying it, but like a Harry Kane.

“I just think if you’re looking at Manchester United, what do they need? What do they really need right now? I’d look at it and think they need a No 9.

“Martial for me isn’t going to take them back to the top.

Martial.Man_.Utd_.TEAMtalk

“I like him, I think he’s brilliant, but I just don’t think he’s going to be that world-class striker that they’ve had in the past where they dominated.

“He’s not good enough to take them back to the top. They won’t win the Premier League with that front three.

“They’ve lost three semi-finals. That’s the difference between them being the top or being a semi-final team.

“I’m not saying they’re not a good team, I’m not saying they’ve not got really good players. I’m just saying they’re a semi-final team, they’re not winners.

“If they had Sancho and they had another No 9, a proper No 9, I agree they need a centre-half.

“I’m not saying it’s going to be easy to get one but I just can’t see them winning the league, that’s what I’m saying.

“I don’t think Martial is that, I just don’t think he is.”