Manchester United can sign a striker by using clever Borussia Dortmund transfer ploy

Many thought the traditional No.9 was destined for extinction in the 2010s.

False nines and diminutive, pacy forwards were deployed by the most successful teams and the stereotypical centre-forward was seen increasingly sparingly at elite level.

It became a trend not to use old-school centre forwards, but strikers have enjoyed a renaissance over the last few years and they’re suddenly very much in fashion again. Erling Haaland has helped to rescue his own breed from extinction. Since he emerged as one of the world’s best players, Haaland has demonstrated the benefits of having a powerful striker to lead the attack and there is a new generation of traditional centre-forwards coming through. But traditional strikers coming back into fashion has helped those who fit that description of all ages. There have been a few stereotypical centre-forwards – tall, powerful and broad-shouldered – seen at Euro 2024 already and some are in the autumn of their careers. Striker Adam Buksa, who stands at 6ft 3in, provided Poland with presence in their opening group game, Martin Adam came off the bench for Hungary and he’s 6ft 2in, while Niclas Fullkrug scored for Germany in their 5-1 hammering of Scotland last Friday night – he is also 6ft 2in.

Fullkrug plays for Borussia Dortmund and was impressive in the Champions League last season, providing his side with a focal point and a menacing presence in the opposition’s box.

He finished his first Bundesliga season with Dortmund as the club’s second-highest league scorer with 12 goals and he’s the sort of profile Manchester United should be targeting.

United splashed the cash to sign a raw Rasmus Hojlund in a deal worth £72million last summer, although ideally another striker would have been signed to support him.

The 21-year-old has vast potential and he enjoyed a brilliant start to 2024, scoring six league goals, but another forward is needed this summer, especially as Marcus Rashford’s goals dried up and Anthony Martial finally left the club on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract.

Hojlund has almost single-handedly shouldered the burden of scoring United’s goals and that pressure has come too soon. United need a striker who can ease the load on Hojlund and can contribute from the bench and feature in the different cup competitions.

United are working with a limited budget this summer – Erik ten Hag has spent over £400m since arriving at Old Trafford – and they might need to get creative in the market.

Signing one of Europe’s most prolific strikers for a significant fee isn’t an option for United and someone like Fullkrug would be attainable and a low-risk investment.

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Fullkrug only signed for Dortmund last summer, signing from Werder Bremen for a reported fee of €13million, and that was value for money considering he scored three goals on their way to the Champions League final.

If United are struggling for inspiration in the market, they could do worse than signing Fullkrug on a short-term deal and perhaps he could be used in a deal for Jadon Sancho.

Manchester United can sign a striker by using clever Borussia Dortmund transfer ploy

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