Report: Man Utd could sign £34m forward who's 'better than Erling Haaland' this summer, ideal Martial replacement

After the exit of Anthony Martial, Manchester United must add to the striking options this summer with the perfect choice identified.

For Rasmus Hojlund, his first season at Manchester United came with a heavy burden and in many ways, he was completely overused.

Despite this, he managed to bag 16 goals which is a very healthy tally, and an excellent starting point that he can build upon next season at Old Trafford.

Anthony Martial hadn’t featured for United since December ninth which left Hojlund as the solitary natural option up front, as Erik ten Hag implemented a false nine at times in his absence and also played an unhappy Marcus Rashford there.

But for the 2024-25 season, United are looking likely to give Hojlund some support and have now been linked with a move for one £34m option.

Photo by Cesare Purini/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

Manchester United keen on signing Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna

One of the better options for Manchester United to sign this summer in a bid to strengthen up front could be Bologna’s number nine Joshua Zirkzee.

The technically gifted forward is attracting interest from across Europe and United are keen on the Dutchman who has a £34m release clause this summer which is valid between July 1st and August 15th.

The striker who has been labelled as ‘better than Erling Haaland’ has also caught the eye of the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, AC Milan and Bayern Munich.

It was reported by Gazzetta dello Sport, which points at United in particular as an interested party, with the void of Martial needing to be filled.

Joshua Zirkzee could be the perfect player to provide Rasmus Hojlund with competition

Zirkzee had an explosive breakout campaign in Serie A scoring 11 goals and assisting four in 34 games which is far better than his two goals and two assists in 19 last season.

At just 23 as well, he’s the perfect profile for Ineos and would be ideal as a player to rotate with Hojlund given how both have the same physical profile, but Zirkzee offers slightly more in the way of link-up play.

Zirkzee is similar to Martial in that sense where he loves the ball to feet, before using his technical quality to create and combine with his teammates, as seen with his 43 chances created which has him in the 92nd percentile as per FotMob.

A potentially super signing and for a fee which wouldn’t break the bank for United.