Manchester United Transfers: Five Strikers Who Could Bring United the Title
While Manchester United sit proudly on top of the league, anyone with an obscured view of the table who could only see their away record would be forgiven thinking they were languishing in mid table. United’s away record is worse than Blackpool's, both in points accrued and goals scored.
Another away draw ensued at White Hart Lane on Sunday, and while it represented a decent result, the manner in which it was achieved was slightly disconcerting as United rarely threatened the opposition's goal.
It’s remarkable that a side that has won 10 of their 11 home encounters can manage only a fifth of that away from Old Trafford. Have United become too predictable? 14 goals is a lamentable record, and given only 12 have been conceded and they remain unbeaten; it’s hard not to lie the blame firmly at the door of the clubs attackers.
Dimitar Berbatov may lead the goalscoring charts, but only two of his 14 have been achieved away from Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney has just one away goal, likewise Michael Owen and Federico Macheda.
A new approach may well be required and with that in mind, could the purchase of a new striker invigorate United’s away form?
Any movement is highly unlikely given the amount of attackers already on the books, but here are five strikers who might be considered should Sir Alex Ferguson decide to plunge into the market.
Romelu Lukaku
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This young Belgian has belied his age by scoring 28 goals in his first 56 games for Anderlecht despite not yet turning 18.
International honours soon followed and he’s adapted quickly, scoring a brace in his last outing versus Russia.
Dubbed the new Didier Drogba, United would be getting one of the most prodigious talents in world football, but also a player who’s fully acclimatised to league, European and International football.
Fernando Llorente
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The Bilbao man was once the subject of ridicule after delivering just seven goals in his first 60 league games.
However, the start of the 2007-2008 season heralded the arrival of a metamorphosed player and the "Lion King" has broken double figures in every campaign since, and has already surpassed the mark this year.
A World Cup winner with seven goals in 13 internationals, his physical style would be an ideal combatant to robust Premier League defences.
Luis Suarez
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As we have learned so many times in the past, a prolific striker in Holland doesn’t always terrorise Premier League defences.
Afonso Alves, Mateja Kezman and Dirk Kuyt have all landed on English soil and failed to reproduce anything like the form they displayed in the Eredivise, but Luis Suarez looks to be made of classier stuff.
The World Cup was his chance to shine on the biggest stage and he grabbed it in style scoring three goals.
Unfortunately, he missed the semifinal after sacrificing himself to secure their passage, but at a mooted fee of £15 million, the Uruguayan would represent magnificent value.
Andy Carroll
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Could the poor away record be due to lack of physicality? If so, then there are few more alluring candidates than Carroll.
A seamless transfer to the top division has made him a sought after commodity and he wouldn’t be cheap, although it is possible a few fringe players could be included in any possible deal.
Carroll's signature would represent the capture of a proven goalscorer with a decade's worth of service ahead of him who’s also eligible for Champions League action.
He's going to end up at one of the top clubs in the land, Sir Alex Ferguson may want to ensure he gets his man first.
Sergio Aguero
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It seems merely a matter of time before Aguero secures a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs.
The son in law of Diego Maradona is an enigmatic figure, blessed with prodigious talent that it seems he has yet to fully deliver upon.
The last two seasons have been relatively quiet at Old Trafford, but another season without a major trophy would surely necessitate seismic movement on the transfer front to placate United's voracious supporters.
Kun would certainly be an ideal candidate, and with Atletico ostensibly slipping out of the Champions League race, now might as good a time as any to try and secure the signature of the diminutive Argentinian.
