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Ralf Rangnick expecting "two or three" new strikers at Manchester United

Ralf Rangnick expecting
© Reuters
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick expects "two or three" new strikers to be signed by the Red Devils in the summer transfer window.

Manchester United interim head coach Ralf Rangnick is expecting to see at least "two or three" new strikers walk through the Old Trafford doors next season.

The 63-year-old will juggle his job as Austria's new head coach with a consultancy role at the Theatre of Dreams, with Erik ten Hag confirmed as the Red Devils' new permanent manager.

Cristiano Ronaldo has stepped up to the plate with 17 Premier League goals in the 2021-22 season, and the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is expected to stay on for at least one more season.

However, the futures of several of United's other forwards remain unclear, with Edinson Cavani widely expected to depart as a free agent when his deal expires at the end of the campaign.

Marcus Rashford has also struggled to nail down a regular spot in the side this term and has been linked with a move elsewhere, although the England international could supposedly be handed a lifeline by Ten Hag.

Anthony Martial is not expected to sign for Sevilla on a permanent basis this summer, but a recent report claimed that the Red Devils were planning to offer the Frenchman to Inter Milan in a part-exchange deal for Lautaro Martinez.

Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Norwich City on April 16, 2022© Reuters

Victor Osimhen and Darwin Nunez have also been mentioned as potential attacking targets for the Red Devils, and Rangnick has admitted that his side's frontline needs an overhaul heading into the 2022-23 season.

"This is a question you need to ask Erik ten Hag. He's showed that he can still be a vital part of this team, but it's obvious the team needs some more strikers. There should be two or three new strikers next season, it's pretty obvious," Rangnick told Sky Sports News.

"If you think of Manchester City and Liverpool, they brought in [players] every transfer window. They strengthened the team, they brought in players not that popular at the time when they signed and developed into the two best teams in the world.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they play in the Champions League final in a few weeks. This shows it is possible that this can happen and it would not necessarily need three, four years in order to do that."

Arsenal have reportedly stolen a march on Man United in the race for Osimhen, though, with the Red Devils far behind their North London rivals in the chase for Champions League football.

Manchester United's Fred celebrates scoring their first goal with Marcus Rashford on April 2, 2022© Reuters

A run of just one win from their last six Premier League matches - including two losses and a draw from their last three in the top flight - has left Man United eight points off the top four with just three games remaining this season.

Arsenal also boast a game in hand over the 20-time English champions, who cannot afford to drop points in Monday's clash with Brentford if they are to keep their fleeting hopes of Champions League football alive.

Should Rangnick's side fail to beat Brentford on Monday, they will officially be out of contention for the Champions League places after a disappointing campaign under Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

In order to create a squad capable of challenging for the top four from next season, Ten Hag will supposedly be handed a budget of £200m at Old Trafford, with improvements in all areas of the pitch expected to be required.

Midfield reinforcements are likely with Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba running down the final few weeks of their contracts, and the club are also understood to have reignited their pursuit of Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres amid criticism of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof's showings this term.

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Written by
Ben Knapton

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Lautaro Martinez in action for Inter on December 17, 2021
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