Manchester United cannot afford to misjudge its recruitment strategy when it comes to adding a striker this summer.
Erik ten Hag's first season as United's manager was a success, and the club has high hopes for the Dutchman's leadership to help them advance in their comeback in 2023–24. But they need to find a new striker if they want to make that goal a reality.
No United forward consistently stepped up in front of goal, with the exception of Marcus Rashford, who registered 30 goals across all competitions this season. While Wout Weghorst did not perform to the appropriate level, Anthony Martial spent extra time in the treatment room.
It is for this reason that Ten Hag has made bringing in a top-tier striker during this summer's transfer window his top priority. The Dutchman's main aim is Harry Kane, but United is operating under the presumption that Tottenham Hotspur won't be willing to part with their prized player.
Naturally, that led United to compile a list of substitute candidates before the transfer season officially opened on Wednesday. According to reports, they have created a shortlist of six strikers, including Kane, who they think would boost their offensive production.
Eintracht Frankfurt's Kolo Muani is one of those six players. The 24-year-old, a member of France's national team, left a French team last summer and joined the Bundesliga team on a free transfer.
With 23 goals and 17 assists across all competitions, he had a spectacular first season in Germany. Only Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig and Niclas Fullkrug of Werder Bremen scored 16 goals apiece in the Bundesliga in 2022–2023, which accounted for 15 of his 23 total goals.
Furthermore, no one could match or surpass his total of 29 direct goal contributions thanks to his 14 assists in the Bundesliga. He was a creative force, so it is not surprising that United and other organizations are closely monitoring him.
The striker, who is 24 years old, is on the rise and at a stage in his career where prestigious clubs are starting to pay note. This summer, United must find a top-tier striker who can lead their front line and withstand the strain that comes with that position. In addition, some supporters think the team would gain from adding a backup striker to provide support and competition in the event that Martial is traded.
Even though Kolo Muani's performances and statistics this season were impressive, he may not yet be seen as the primary striker the Reds need. However, if United were to make a move for him and bring him to Old Trafford, he would expect to be given the chance to play regularly and develop into an even better player.
Kolo Muani recently discussed his future and said: "I'm really looking for the club that will give me the chance to be able to express myself, to earn game time and most importantly allow me to grow."
Having said that, it seems unlikely that the Frenchman, despite age and time being on his side, would be happy joining United only to warm the bench and make the occasional start; he would expect to join the club with the assurance that he would be Ten Hag's first choice striker.
However, it's hard to criticize him given that he contributed to 40 direct goals this season. From this point on, he will anticipate starting every week, either at Frankfurt or a different team.
This season in Germany, he showed a lot of promise, but his current challenge is to show that he is more than simply a one-season wonder. United may need to focus most on that.