Man Utd ‘could replace’ Ronaldo with ‘phenomenal’ £100m striker at Old Trafford

Manchester United are considering how and when to part ways with Cristiano Ronaldo, and they’re also beginning preparations to replace him at Old Trafford.

After Erik Ten Hag became manager he was given extra backing in the transfer market and invested heavily in defensive minded players like Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia.

Antony arrived too but there had been a consideration to sign a striker, yet United decided to persist with Ronaldo.

Some of the names considered in the summer were Marko Arnautovic, Jamie Vardy and Alvaro Morata. None of those are likely to be on the cards the next time United look to sign a new forward but you do wonder if United wish Ronaldo had indeed just left at the beginning of the campaign.

This next transfer window is not supposed to be one for investment, given the record outlay of last summer. But if Ronaldo’s wages – the highest at the club – are soon gone, it would open the door for a new signing. 

Will Cristiano Ronaldo leave Old Trafford in January?

There is a possibility Ronaldo leaves in January but that would not be an easy time to sign a replacement. If it happens United may even dive into the loan market at that moment to find a short term solution in attack. 

They will need to find a goalscorer for the long-term though, because Ronaldo won’t be around for next season, so we have been checking out the rumoured targets that will be on United’s radar in 2023.

Who could replace Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United?

Jonathan David

In the new year this man will become one of the most wanted forwards in the game and United are very interested. The way he pounces on chances inside the box is appealing while his strength and self confidence are key attributes that would help Ten Hag’s team build.

He does have ambitions to play in the Premier League soon and seems ready for the challenge. David has aspirations to make a move to England or Spain in 2023 and United could make an enquiry in January to get ahead of other clubs watching him.

The 22-year-old Canada international is generally valued at around £45million at the moment but as he prepares to play at the World Cup, that number could rocket.

Victor Osimhen

He is the all-round centre forward who would fit into virtually any team in Europe. So much so that UEFA’s official Champions League Twitter account recently described him as ‘phenomenal‘.

Osimhen, 23, is being seriously scouted by Chelsea but recruitment staff at United have had eyes on him for a while too.

The fee needed to land Osimhen would be huge, around the £100million mark. He is also currently fighting with Napoli at the top of Serie A as the side look genuine challengers for the scudetto.

Insiders around this deal say an agreement in January is going to be almost impossible but if they are willing to wait, he might be up for it at the end of the season … if United finish top four.

Moussa Dembele

United have been linked with Dembele several times in the past few years and there is no doubt the interest has been real. What makes this one interesting once again is that his contract expires in 2023 so he is set to become a free agent or leave for a low fee in January.

The chances of him staying at Lyon seem slim and there needs to be a turnaround in circumstances soon as his minutes have been limited since Alexandre Lacazette joined. He’d only scored twice in Ligue 1 this season prior to the weekend’s action.

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Ivan Toney

He’s pushed himself into the England reckoning, continued to score goals at Premier League level and it is only a matter of time before 26-year-old Toney moves to a bigger club.

There is no doubt he loves his role at Brentford but stepping up a level intrigues him, sources say, and he would find it difficult to turn down a move to any club in the top six.

We know Chelsea have a keen interest but it is also true United like him. Brentford will play any availability down but there is a general feeling he might even be attainable in January – but it would come at a premium and the Reds might not be able to pay up given their summer spend.

Brentford sold Ollie Watkins to Aston Villa for £33million before he had top-flight experience and that is why Toney now has a price-tag of at least £50m.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

There is an advantage to signing someone with Premier League experience. That’s probably why Toney is on the list, but other options are hard to come by. 

Harry Kane has always been earmarked but still does not seem attainable, Aleksandar Mitrovic does not quite fit the profile, so it could be that 25-year-old Calvert-Lewin comes back on the radar if he can show continued form and fitness.

United have passively explored into the prospect of signing him before and while it does seem unlikely Frank Lampard would allow Everton to let him go, it is not impossible. There is a feeling that Everton could make another big sale in the next year and DCL is one of the few players who could bring a large fee. 

Cody Gakpo

United are certainly still tracking him after their pursuit last summer and he has been in great form for PSV as one of the best goal contributors in the whole of Europe.

He’s not the natural goalscorer or no.9 you would expect them to sign for this exact role so while, yes, United remain interested it is not really as a Ronaldo replacement. Gakpo, 23, has impressed scouts and Ten Hag’s circle of trust believe he could handle the Premier League.

Rafael Leao

He’s become a superstar at AC Milan and has the traits to thrive in the Premier League. Insiders say United scouts are intrigued by his physical nature, pace and finishing ability. 

His current release clause is way too high for the Reds to consider and while they are willing to talk if he becomes available, there are murmurs that he’s probably staying at Milan a while longer, so this one currently looks unlikely.

Patrick Schick

A great left foot and very good in the air, Schick does tick plenty of boxes that United will be looking for in terms of a new No.9. The problem right now is that every club scouting Schick is more than aware he is out of form. 

United have kept tabs on Schick for a while and continue to do so but indications at this stage are that he is not playing well enough to be considered.

Tammy Abraham 

An outside option given how important he is to AS Roma but Abraham is worth paying some attention to. Chelsea’s buyback clause on him does not kick in until 2023 so if United want him it would make sense to make the move soon.

Benjamin Sesko

United had big interest in Sesko in the last window and scouts continue to be intrigued by him.

He has agreed a move to RB Leipzig from RB Salzburg for July 2023 so obviously it seems unlikely United can get him unless they were to offer big money before he has even kicked a ball! But he will continue to be monitored and as a future signing should not be ruled out.

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