Premier League: Manchester United are missing a striker

Due mainly to Erik ten Hag's efforts in the second half of 2022, a return to the Champions League seems highly likely as we head into 2023. The United manager has hardly made a mistake in his quest to restore some credibility for his team, but he will need the board to step up in the coming weeks to prepare the team for the rest of the season.

Short of strike option following Ronaldo's departure

He is totally dependent on Anthony Martial right now. According to Ten Hag in November, "I like the kind that Martial is because he can keep the ball, he's a target, he can link up, he can also run behind, he has speed, he can finish, and he's a terrific presser." Probably because he had no other choice and was forced to.

Martial is capable of carrying out each of those tasks, but he only sometimes combines them. He cut the irritating figure that United supporters have grown accustomed to at Molineux, a striker who was slower than average and less focused than was necessary to lead the line at the highest level.

Ten Hag was forced to switch to Rashford at the break after Martial missed a clear-cut opportunity before the break and Garnacho made a terrible error. The manager could only make one attacking alteration, and it was identical on the left side. Rashford would have been the only other option, but the England attacker has repeatedly maintained that coming off the left is how he prefers to attack.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rashford: “I overslept and I missed the pre game meeting. I was a little bit late. It&#39;s the team rules and I understand the decision”, tells <a href="https://twitter.com/btsportfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@btsportfootball</a> 🔴 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MUFC</a><br><br>Ten Hag: “It is good, after the decision. He was bright, he was lively, scored a goal. The right reaction”. <a href="https://t.co/DxfRIt7hnL">pic.twitter.com/DxfRIt7hnL</a></p>&mdash; Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1609203445088542722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Which is precisely what he accomplished in the 76th minute, devastatingly. Rashford entered the area via a straightforward give-and-go with Fernandes, but it was there, when he shrugged off Jonny and found the goal, that he distinguished himself from the other United attackers.

Ten Hag will have a crucial impact on what, if anything, United does this season, provided he can keep Rashford healthy. But he can't carry the weight by himself. Garnacho, despite his youth, will undoubtedly contribute as well. Antony can take more of the burden. But Ten Hag is in serious need of a centre-forward to lead his line—someone qualified, not just another capable winger.

The manager doesn't feel compelled to hide the fact that he has eyes because he is aware of it. But he has mentioned that in the January market, United must be "innovative." Which would be acceptable if he were speaking from a scouting