Ranking 5 Strikers Manchester United Should Target in Summer Transfer Window

With Radamel Falcao gone and Robin van Persie linked with a move away, Manchester United should be in the market for a new striker this summer. 

Van Persie is currently considering his options, per Sky Sports, but even if he stays, United need to bring in guaranteed goals. Here are the top five strikers United should target.

Running the gamut from established world stars to Premier League up-and-comers, all these players would add firepower to United's front line. Let us know the players you think United should target in the comments section below.

5: Charlie Austin

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Charlie Austin managed more goals than any United forward in the Premier League season just gone. Having scored 19 in Queens Park Rangers' promotion season in the Championship in 2013/14, he followed up with 18 in his first run at the top flight. 

He also provided 5 assists, meaning he was directly involved in more than half of Rangers' goals in the most recent campaign. 

He is the least fashionable name on this list, but given that he managed to outscore all but three players in the Premier League—two of whom would certainly be inaccessible to United—he is surely worthy of consideration. 

Currently linked with a move to Newcastle United, per Craig Hope of the Mail Online, if Manchester United are considering a less pricey option up front, Austin would represent a decent punt.

4: Harry Kane

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Harry Kane scored three goals more than Austin last time out. For that, and for the fact that he is four years younger, Kane pips his England colleague to fourth place. 

He would, presumably, cost a good deal more than Austin. Scott Loney of Goal reported that United are considering "a package worth up to £50 million" to secure Kane's services. That package would see Javier Hernandez, Nani and Adnan Januzaj head the other direction in what would be one of the more unusual transfer deals of recent years. 

Kane's true value is incredibly hard to quantify. Last term was a huge breakthrough season for the Londoner, but will that form prove to be a true reflection of his ability, or will he drop off in the years ahead? If United's scouts are convinced it is the former, the club should move heaven and earth to sign Kane, given his abilities look a perfect match for the Premier League.

If he was a more sure bet, he'd be higher than fourth.

3: Alexandre Lacazette

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Like Kane, Alexandre Lacazette has just enjoyed the best season of his career to date. However, it was less of a bolt from the blue for the Lyon man, who had scored 15 goals in France's top flight in 2013/14. He beats Kane here because that platform of 15 goals hints that his progress to 27 goals this time around may be a sign of sustainable improvement rather than a one off.

At 24 years old, Lacazette is entering his prime. He is currently attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Liverpool, according to the Twitter account of France-based football writer and broadcaster Matt Spiro. In the face of that interest, Lyon are apparently trying their best to keep their star man.

His phenomenal goal record in 2014/15 suggests he is a player in whom United should maintain a strong interest.

2: Karim Benzema

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Karim Benzema has been playing at an elite level for a long time now. 

His is the career trajectory Lacazette would like to follow. He left Lyon in 2009 and has been a mainstay at Real Madrid ever since. He has never been truly prolific for the Primera Liga giants, scoring 20 league goals in a season just once. However, he has rarely been the main man at Madrid, whose attack has been dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo since his arrival in the same summer. 

At United, more weight would be placed on Benzema's shoulders, and with it would come more opportunities to shine. 

He has plenty of experience at leading the line in a 4-3-3, and his physicality should be a natural fit for the Premier League. For his experience and his status as a proven quantity, he gets No. 2 spot here.

1: Thomas Muller

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Thomas Muller and Louis van Gaal go back a long way. Muller said, per Simon Rice of the Independent: "It’s a secret for nobody. Louis van Gaal and I have a relationship that goes beyond that which is normal between a player and a coach."

Sadly for United fans, the Germany international went on to say: "However, I have a contract with Bayern until 2017."

If there is any chance whatsoever of prying him away from Munich, Muller should be United's No. 1 transfer target in any position, let alone up front.  

His leadership skills, his superb assist record, his ability to play anywhere across attacking midfield or up front and his remarkable knack for scoring vital goals would make him an incredibly good fit for any top side. 

His history with Van Gaal—and thus his history with the Dutchman's philosophy—would make him a particularly good fit for United.