'It would help!' - Erik ten Hag urges Man Utd to buy new striker this summer amid Rasmus Hojlund struggles

United sit sixth in the Premier League but their 45 goals in 31 games is bettered by 10 other teams in the division. While striker Hojlund scored in six games in a row between December and February, the £72 million ($92m) summer signing has failed to recapture his goalscoring form since suffering a muscle injury six weeks ago. Now, manager Ten Hag wants more strength in depth in that position.

When asked how important it would be to have a proven scorer for next season, Ten Hag replied: "I think it would help."

He added: "You need more options. You need double positioning in every position. Some positions we didn't have the choices this season - the striker position, the left-back position - and that has a negative impact on the results."

Ten Hag's future at Old Trafford is far from certain. The Dutchman has been backed financially since taking over in 2022 but their form has gone backwards this season and it remains to be seen if he will be given another transfer window to recruit the players he wants. Hojlund, 21, has scored 13 goals in 34 games in all competitions but it is clear the former Ajax boss wants more firepower in attack going forward.

Before the summer transfer window opens in mid-June, United travel to Bournemouth on Saturday evening, looking to keep their faint Champions League qualification hopes alive. With seven games remaining, they are 11 points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham.