Erik ten Hag addresses Manchester United's striker crisis

Manchester United are facing a pressing need for a new striker to address their struggles in front of goal, as highlighted by manager Erik ten Hag ahead of their upcoming Premier League clash with Bournemouth. The team's goal-scoring woes have been evident this season, with their tally of 45 goals being the lowest among the top 10 teams in the league standings.

The acquisition of 21-year-old Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund for a hefty sum of 72 million pounds ($90 million) last August has not fully alleviated the issue, despite his respectable return of 13 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions. In contrast, key players like Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have underperformed in front of goal, with Martial managing only two goals this season before succumbing to injury, and Rashford tallying just eight goals in 38 games after a prolific campaign last year.

Ten Hag, who had initially ruled out the possibility of signing a new striker during the January transfer window due to financial constraints, has now acknowledged the necessity of bolstering the squad in the upcoming off-season. The Dutch manager emphasized the importance of having depth and quality in every position, particularly highlighting the deficiencies in the striker and left-back roles that have adversely impacted the team's results.

Expressing proactive measures, Ten Hag revealed that the club is actively working on recruitment plans in collaboration with the scouting department to address the identified gaps. He emphasized the readiness of the strategic blueprint and the imminent need for execution to enhance the team's competitiveness and performance moving forward.

In a bid to further strengthen the squad, Ten Hag expressed openness to input from the club's new ownership, signaling a collaborative approach towards achieving the desired objectives and revitalizing Manchester United's attacking prowess.