Manchester United have struggled to complete early moves in the transfer market this summer but there is still plenty of time for the Red Devils to complete their necessary business and Jose Mourinho is ready to spend big.

After finishing sixth in the Premier League last season, major improvements are needed at Old Trafford if the Red Devils are to compete for league glory next season and stand competitive in their return to Champions League football.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s long injury lay-off has put the pressure on Manchester United to bolster their attacking lines and the Red Devils have been frustrated in their attempts to replace the Swedish veteran so far.

Antoine Griezmann was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford but elected to remain with Atletico Madrid, who would be unable to sign a replacement due to their transfer ban, and it’s also been reported that Mourinho’s side will miss out on the services of Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.

Sky Sports now reports that Manchester United have made Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata their priority signing this summer, with the Spaniard keen to seal an exit after a disappointing return to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Morata returned to Real Madrid from Juventus last summer, after the La Liga champions activated a buy-back clause in his deal with the Italian giants, but struggled to secure regular football ahead of leading man Karim Benzema.

A return of 20 goals across all competitions is decent for the 24-year-old and he’s keen to seal a move that comes with first-team assurances, as he seeks to establish himself as the main man for Spain at next summer’s World Cup.

On Manchester United’s part though, Morata is a far less exciting striker than Griezmann or Lukaku and the fact that Real Madrid reportedly want a staggering £78m for the striker is a concern as it’s clear United could land a better striker for that price.

Morata’s only season with 20 goals has been the current campaign, with his strikes coming in 43 appearances across all competitions, and his next highest tally at senior level is the 15 strikes he got in 46 appearances during his maiden campaign with Juventus.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s numbers were slightly better this season, as he scored 28 goals in 46 appearances, but Morata is far less frightening than the sort of striker that Manchester United need- and it’s highly unlikely he’d contend for the top-scorer honour in the Premier League.

Lukaku, Griezmann and even Torino’s Andrea Belotti seem to be far better than Morata and a deal would only be good for United if the price was significantly less than Real Madrid are currently bargaining for.