Erik ten Hag and Wayne Rooney completely agreed on £60,000-a-week signing Man Utd needed in the summer

Manchester United are struggling to score goals this season and a new striker is a priority in the upcoming summer transfer window.

With just 33 goals in 27 Premier League games so far this season, Manchester United are having trouble putting the ball into the back of the net.

It has been a problem for several years, with the only player who has shown any real consistency being Marcus Rashford, who scored 30 goals during the 2022/23 season.

However, with the England international set to leave after his loan spell at Aston Villa, significant doubts remain over United’s current attacking options.

Rasmus Højlund has demonstrated that he lacks the experience to be the club’s main striker, while Joshua Zirkzee appears more effective when playing behind a traditional No.9.

That has led to the club looking at potential options ahead of the summer window, including the likes of Victor Osimhen and Liam Delap.

However, it still seems incredible that United did not bolster the attack even further in the latest transfer window.

Ten Hag wanted Welbeck signing in summer

United needed some experience up front before the season started and Erik ten Hag identified ex-United forward Danny Welbeck as a potential recruit last summer.

Welbeck, who left the club in 2014, had impressed the Dutch manager in games against United and he had an expiring contract which would have allowed the Reds to re-sign him on a free contract.

However, The Athletic have previously detailed that INEOS ultimately decided against the move as there was still uncertainty around the future of Ten Hag, who was eventually sacked in October.

Welbeck instead signed new terms at Brighton, reported to be around £60,000-per-week, and is on course to produce one of his best Premier League campaigns to date.

The 34-year-old striker has seven goals and four assists in 20 league appearances so far this season, with 17 of those being starts.

He would have been a great option for United to get better experience in their young frontline, but the Reds passed up on the opportunity.

Rooney would like United to re-sign Welbeck

Wayne Rooney has echoed the opinion of Ten Hag shortly after Welbeck sent Brighton into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a winner against Newcastle United.

The legendary striker suggested that his former teammate would still be a good option for Ruben Amorim’s side.

‘Danny, he’s great to play alongside and if I’m being completely honest, I’d would probably still like to see him here playing for Manchester United,” Rooney said on BBC Sport before United’s FA Cup exit to Fulham.

Read More: Ruben Amorim hints at “really important” Manchester United position change, it could fix big problem

“He scored goals throughout his career, had injuries in early part of his career, but seems to have got over them and he’s having a fantastic season.”

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