Manchester United Transfers: 3 Forwards Who Would Boost Red Devils' Options

Manchester United are in an unexpectedly strong position when it comes to their forwards.

At the beginning of this season, they seemed desperately short of options. It looked likely they would be too reliant on Wayne Rooney, a player who had not spent a season leading the line for three years before this campaign began.

Anthony Martial's instant impact changed the dynamic, making the Red Devils' striking options look a little more robust. Memphis Depay's cameos at centre-forward suggested he could provide some cover.

And then came Marcus Rashford. Rashford, the 18-year-old with the world at his feet who looks ready for the big time. A player whose promise is such that bringing in a proven superstar would almost seem counterproductive.

On the other hand, given his age, there is every likelihood he will remain a little inconsistent next season. If United want to compete for the title in 2016/17—as should be the minimum aim—perhaps bringing in a striker who could offer a more certain guarantee of goals would be a good option. Let's take a look at three who fit the bill.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic 

Duncan Wright of the Sun earlier in April reported that Jose Mourinho had approved a move for impending Paris Saint-Germain free agent Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Of course, Mourinho is not yet United manager, so this rumour has a kind of once-removed quality to it. Nonetheless, Ibrahimovic would fit the superstar-signing bill at Old Trafford.

And of all the strikers here, he would in some ways make the most sense. His would not be a long-term acquisition that could stunt Rashford or Martial's development. Rather he would add the kind of star quality and winning habit that has defined his career as the two of them develop for another season or two.

Admittedly, his time in Paris has not been the most challenging—PSG officially sealed this season's Ligue 1 title as early as March 13 and have won Le Championnat in each of his four seasons with the club—but the 13 league titles he has won since 2001 is an impressive record. The two he picked up with Juventus were later revoked, but even without those, it is a remarkable achievement.

His lack of mobility could be an issue, but perhaps United could even consider a 4-4-2 with Ibrahimovic alongside Rashford. It would be an expensive, short-term bit of business, but it would be pretty exciting.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Back in June 2015, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looked the perfect option to strengthen United's forward line.

Since then, Martial has stepped into the role of adaptable left-winger-cum-centre-forward that Aubameyang could have fulfilled alongside Rooney. However, Aubameyang has gone from strength to strength, starring for a revitalised Borussia Dortmund and scoring 23 Bundesliga goals this season, mostly from centre-forward.

"

Aubameyang + Mkhitaryan + Reus have a combined 80 goals and 48 assists this season. pic.twitter.com/kQXVse6J3w

— Cristian Nyari (@CrisNyari) April 20, 2016"

Unlike Ibrahimovic, there would be some longer-term implications to signing Aubameyang. United could opt for a 4-3-3 with Martial on the left, Aubameyang through the middle and Rashford on the right. That would leave no place in the first XI for Memphis, whose talent has only been seen intermittently this season.

It would also force Rooney into the kind of deeper role he has played since his return from injury.

The 26-year-old Aumbameyang has become an even more significant goal threat this term, and his versatility would at least mean there would be options to allow plenty of game time for Rashford and Martial.

Harry Kane

In March, journalist Miguel Delaney, writing for the Independent, reported that Mourinho had "identified the Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane as his priority target for Manchester United this summer."

It would be a huge signing. It is a little hard to see why the player would leave his club, who are fairly obviously in a better place than United at the moment. However, if he is lured by the glamour of Mourinho—assuming he arrives—and Old Trafford, then his signing would be a big deal.

After two seasons of consistent Premier League goalscoring, the 22-year-old must surely be one of the division's hottest properties. Of the three players listed in this article, his arrival at United might be the most disruptive to those already in situ. After all, buying Kane and not building a team around him playing at No. 9 would be a huge waste.

Like Aubameyang, Kane would probably best suit a 4-3-3 with Martial on the left and Rashford on the right, though it seems a shame for both that neither would be playing centrally.

However, the virtually guaranteed goals, the superb all-round forward play and the potential longevity of his career would mean that while the decision to sign Kane would be a little hard-nosed, it would be a smart move.