Jose Mourinho’s first season at Manchester United has certainly been transitional, with the Red Devils winning the League Cup at Wembley but struggling to be competitive in the Premier League- where they currently sit outside of the top-four.
United still have hopes of entering the Champions League next season and they fortunately have two avenues into Europe’s elite competition next term, as they have a second path via the Europa League; where they face Celta Vigo on Thursday in the first-leg of the semi-finals.
However, it’s clear Manchester United need to invest heavily once again this summer to improve their ranks across the board but Mourinho should take a second look at his transfer plans and scrap the push for numerous attacking signings.
With Wayne Rooney likely to leave and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s untimely injury likely to bring the end of his spell at Old Trafford, a move on the transfer market for a top-class striker, like Antoine Griezmann, is necessary.
Despite the need for a player like Griezmann, United have also been linked to a wealth of other attacking players including Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, Real Madrid outcast Alvaro Morata and Torino’s excelling Andrea Belotti.
The need for two top-class strikers isn’t clear though as Manchester United would be better off putting faith in Marcus Rashford, who has excelled when given the opportunities during the past two seasons and can develop into United’s next great forward.
To date, the 19-year-old England international has scored ten goals in 40 Premier League appearances since making his debut under Louis Van Gaal and he’s impressed in his limited opportunities this season, where Mourinho has used him out wide at times.
It’s clear Rashford’s future lies centrally though and United would benefit from giving him openings in this area, with the Three Lions ace capable of filling in for a star signing like Antoine Griezmann when required to next season.
Rashford has received a wealth of plaudits during his Manchester United career to date and he’s widely expected to become a superstar in the future, capable of grabbing the headlines on the big stages like fellow teenager Kylian Mbappe has done with Monaco.
United could benefit from taking a leaf out of the French principality’s side book as Leonardo Jardim’s side have handed regular opportunities to young players this season, with the belief that if they’re good enough they’re old enough.
Whilst Rashford may not quite be ready to be Manchester United’s leading man on a weekly basis just yet, a few years playing understudy to Antoine Griezmann or a similar superstar signing would help his development incredibly.
However, if two new strikers are brought in this summer then Rashford will find it difficult to get the openings in the first-team he needs- especially if the second of the summer arrivals is another big name that comes with a hefty price-tag.