Manchester United’s opening weekend defeat to Brighton suggests that there are issues running right through the team. The transfer window remains open for a few more weeks and it’s likely that new manager Erik Ten Hag will be looking for additional reinforcements.
The defense looks suspect but United will also be in the market for a new striker. Their great rivals at the top of the table all have prolific front men. Mohamed Salah at Liverpool and Tottenham’s Harry Kane now have competition in the battle for the Golden Boot from Manchester City’s new signing Erling Haaland.
It’s been an issue at Old Trafford since Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic departed, but could the club turn to a former player to plug the gap?
Javier Hernandez in Numbers
Mexican international striker Javier Hernandez spent four full seasons at Old Trafford before a loan deal eventually led to a permanent move to Real Madrid. The man known as Chicharito wasn’t exactly prolific during that time, scoring 59 goals in 157 matches across all competitions.
Hernandez did earn a reputation for landing important strikes and that record stands up against United’s current crop of strikers. Since his spell in Spain, the player has also featured for West Ham United and Bayer Leverkusen before ending up with his current employers LA Galaxy.
He’s been prolific in Major League Soccer and, while he’s approaching the veteran stages of his career, Javier Hernandez clearly feels he has plenty left to offer.
Targets for Ten Hag
The minimum target for Manchester United this season is to break back into the Top Four and claim a Champions League place for next term. Even though it’s very early days, that home defeat against Brighton is a serious blow to those aims.
There is little support for the Red Devils from neutral sources. According to the top betting sites affiliated with SBO, United are down as the sixth favorites in the Top Four EPL Market.
Ahead of them are Manchester City, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal. They are already losing ground but some positive results at Old Trafford would see those odds shorten. The market will adjust on the back of every game weekend and Sbo.net will pass on the updated odds to their readers.
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It’s a useful site from which to follow Manchester United’s progress but will Javier Hernandez have any input?
United’s Striker Options
A move for former player Javier Hernandez seems unlikely even if the Mexican international has reportedly offered his services for free. If there is a need to look elsewhere, it’s reported that Manchester United have a number of alternatives.
Along with Chelsea and Everton, United have been linked with an approach for the giant Austrian frontman Sasa Kalajdic. The 25-year-old plays with Vfb Stuttgart in Germany’s Bundesliga where he has built up a strong scoring record.
PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo is also believed to be on Manchester United’s radar. A Dutch international, Gakpo plays mainly out on the wing but he has a solid goal tally from wide of the pitch and is seen as a player with a big future.
Reports suggest that the club are continuing to monitor teenage Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko. The Red Bull Salzburg forward may be seen as one for the future but he comes with a hefty price tag.
Manager Erik Ten Hag certainly has options but, based on a poor result on the opening weekend, Manchester United need to move quickly in their hunt for a new center forward.
