Many thought the traditional No.9 was destined for extinction in the 2010s.
False nines and diminutive, pacy forwards were deployed by the most successful teams and the stereotypical centre-forward was seen increasingly sparingly at elite level.
It became a trend not to use old-school centre forwards, but strikers have enjoyed a renaissance over the last few years and they’re suddenly very much in fashion again. Erling Haaland has helped to rescue his own breed from extinction. Since he emerged as one of the world’s best players, Haaland has demonstrated the benefits of having a powerful striker to lead the attack and there is a new generation of traditional centre-forwards coming through. But traditional strikers coming back into fashion has helped those who fit that description of all ages. There have been a few stereotypical centre-forwards – tall, powerful and broad-shouldered – seen at Euro 2024 already and some are in the autumn of their careers. Striker Adam Buksa, who stands at 6ft 3in, provided Poland with presence in their opening group game, Martin Adam came off the bench for Hungary and he’s 6ft 2in, while Niclas Fullkrug scored for Germany in their 5-1 hammering of Scotland last Friday night – he is also 6ft 2in.
Fullkrug plays for Borussia Dortmund and was impressive in the Champions League last season, providing his side with a focal point and a menacing presence in the opposition’s box.
He finished his first Bundesliga season with Dortmund as the club’s second-highest league scorer with 12 goals and he’s the sort of profile Manchester United should be targeting.
United splashed the cash to sign a raw Rasmus Hojlund in a deal worth £72million last summer, although ideally another striker would have been signed to support him.
The 21-year-old has vast potential and he enjoyed a brilliant start to 2024, scoring six league goals, but another forward is needed this summer, especially as Marcus Rashford’s goals dried up and Anthony Martial finally left the club on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract.
Hojlund has almost single-handedly shouldered the burden of scoring United’s goals and that pressure has come too soon. United need a striker who can ease the load on Hojlund and can contribute from the bench and feature in the different cup competitions.
United are working with a limited budget this summer – Erik ten Hag has spent over £400m since arriving at Old Trafford – and they might need to get creative in the market.
Signing one of Europe’s most prolific strikers for a significant fee isn’t an option for United and someone like Fullkrug would be attainable and a low-risk investment.
DON’T MISS
Roy Keane slams Kylian Mbappe for ‘out of order’ reaction after horror injury
Vitor Roque signs, Xavi Simons agreement – Man United’s dream attack after transfer masterclass
Marks and Spencer’s £22 summer top instantly makes any jeans and shorts look more expensive
Fullkrug only signed for Dortmund last summer, signing from Werder Bremen for a reported fee of €13million, and that was value for money considering he scored three goals on their way to the Champions League final.
If United are struggling for inspiration in the market, they could do worse than signing Fullkrug on a short-term deal and perhaps he could be used in a deal for Jadon Sancho.
SIMILAR ARTICLES TO THIS
POWERED BY
England star linked with Man United transfer ‘ready for move’ as Erik ten Hag demand emerges
England star linked with Man United transfer ‘ready for move’ as Erik ten Hag demand emerges
22
COMMENTS
Denmark boss explains why Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund has stopped scoring
Denmark boss explains why Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund has stopped scoring
1
COMMENTS
£40m sale, Borussia Dortmund loan, Erik ten Hag forgiveness – Jadon Sancho Man United future decided
£40m sale, Borussia Dortmund loan, Erik ten Hag forgiveness – Jadon Sancho Man United future decided
32
COMMENTS
Michael Owen tells Manchester United how to resolve ‘pathetic’ Jadon Sancho situation
Michael Owen tells Manchester United how to resolve ‘pathetic’ Jadon Sancho situation
13
COMMENTS
Manchester United have three transfers they would love to complete by June 30
Manchester United have three transfers they would love to complete by June 30
11
COMMENTS
Borussia Dortmund fire clear message to Man United star Jadon Sancho after statement released
Borussia Dortmund fire clear message to Man United star Jadon Sancho after statement released
21
COMMENTS
Joshua Zirkzee could put Manchester United on notice after Erik ten Hag decision
Joshua Zirkzee could put Manchester United on notice after Erik ten Hag decision
4
COMMENTS
When does the summer transfer window open and close? Deals across Europe set to become official
When does the summer transfer window open and close? Deals across Europe set to become official
Jadon Sancho transfer stance revealed with Man United talks ‘scheduled’ despite £65m problem
Jadon Sancho transfer stance revealed with Man United talks ‘scheduled’ despite £65m problem
9
COMMENTS
The 10 transfer flops Manchester United regretted signing after wasting £360milllion
The 10 transfer flops Manchester United regretted signing after wasting £360milllion
14
COMMENTS
Manchester United hatch clever FFP transfer plan to solve desperate Marcus Rashford dilemma
Manchester United hatch clever FFP transfer plan to solve desperate Marcus Rashford dilemma
5
COMMENTS
Marcus Rashford sent Manchester United transfer message after Erik ten Hag decision
Marcus Rashford sent Manchester United transfer message after Erik ten Hag decision
28
COMMENTS
Manchester United star who wants a new contract might win award at Euro 2024
Manchester United star who wants a new contract might win award at Euro 2024
5
COMMENTS
Jarrad Branthwaite signs, Joao Neves battle – Manchester United’s dream XI next season
Jarrad Branthwaite signs, Joao Neves battle – Manchester United’s dream XI next season
4
COMMENTS
Jadon Sancho responds to manager decision ahead of Manchester United return
Jadon Sancho responds to manager decision ahead of Manchester United return
33
COMMENTS
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has just handed Man United major £40m transfer conundrum
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has just handed Man United major £40m transfer conundrum
20
COMMENTS
Jadon Sancho faced with Manchester United transfer headache after Borussia Dortmund decision
Jadon Sancho faced with Manchester United transfer headache after Borussia Dortmund decision
4
COMMENTS
Mason Greenwood’s probable Manchester United departure more advanced than Jadon Sancho’s
Mason Greenwood’s probable Manchester United departure more advanced than Jadon Sancho’s
11
COMMENTS
Man United make progress with Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood exits as transfer plans ramp up
Man United make progress with Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood exits as transfer plans ramp up
44
COMMENTS
‘In a few weeks’ – Serhou Guirassy provides transfer update amid Manchester United links
‘In a few weeks’ – Serhou Guirassy provides transfer update amid Manchester United links
England star linked with Man United transfer ‘ready for move’ as Erik ten Hag demand emerges
England star linked with Man United transfer ‘ready for move’ as Erik ten Hag demand emerges
22
COMMENTS
Denmark boss explains why Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund has stopped scoring
Denmark boss explains why Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund has stopped scoring
1
COMMENTS
£40m sale, Borussia Dortmund loan, Erik ten Hag forgiveness – Jadon Sancho Man United future decided
£40m sale, Borussia Dortmund loan, Erik ten Hag forgiveness – Jadon Sancho Man United future decided
32
COMMENTS
Michael Owen tells Manchester United how to resolve ‘pathetic’ Jadon Sancho situation
Michael Owen tells Manchester United how to resolve ‘pathetic’ Jadon Sancho situation
13
COMMENTS
Manchester United have three transfers they would love to complete by June 30
Manchester United have three transfers they would love to complete by June 30
11
COMMENTS
Borussia Dortmund fire clear message to Man United star Jadon Sancho after statement released
Borussia Dortmund fire clear message to Man United star Jadon Sancho after statement released
21
COMMENTS
Joshua Zirkzee could put Manchester United on notice after Erik ten Hag decision
Joshua Zirkzee could put Manchester United on notice after Erik ten Hag decision
4
COMMENTS
When does the summer transfer window open and close? Deals across Europe set to become official
When does the summer transfer window open and close? Deals across Europe set to become official
Jadon Sancho transfer stance revealed with Man United talks ‘scheduled’ despite £65m problem
Jadon Sancho transfer stance revealed with Man United talks ‘scheduled’ despite £65m problem
9
COMMENTS
The 10 transfer flops Manchester United regretted signing after wasting £360milllion
The 10 transfer flops Manchester United regretted signing after wasting £360milllion
14
COMMENTS
Manchester United hatch clever FFP transfer plan to solve desperate Marcus Rashford dilemma
Manchester United hatch clever FFP transfer plan to solve desperate Marcus Rashford dilemma
5
COMMENTS
Marcus Rashford sent Manchester United transfer message after Erik ten Hag decision
Marcus Rashford sent Manchester United transfer message after Erik ten Hag decision
28
COMMENTS
Manchester United star who wants a new contract might win award at Euro 2024
Manchester United star who wants a new contract might win award at Euro 2024
5
COMMENTS
Jarrad Branthwaite signs, Joao Neves battle – Manchester United’s dream XI next season
Jarrad Branthwaite signs, Joao Neves battle – Manchester United’s dream XI next season
4
COMMENTS
Jadon Sancho responds to manager decision ahead of Manchester United return
Jadon Sancho responds to manager decision ahead of Manchester United return
33
COMMENTS
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has just handed Man United major £40m transfer conundrum
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has just handed Man United major £40m transfer conundrum
20
COMMENTS
Jadon Sancho faced with Manchester United transfer headache after Borussia Dortmund decision
Jadon Sancho faced with Manchester United transfer headache after Borussia Dortmund decision
4
COMMENTS
Mason Greenwood’s probable Manchester United departure more advanced than Jadon Sancho’s
Mason Greenwood’s probable Manchester United departure more advanced than Jadon Sancho’s
11
COMMENTS
Man United make progress with Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood exits as transfer plans ramp up
Man United make progress with Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood exits as transfer plans ramp up
44
COMMENTS
‘In a few weeks’ – Serhou Guirassy provides transfer update amid Manchester United links
‘In a few weeks’ – Serhou Guirassy provides transfer update amid Manchester United links
England star linked with Man United transfer ‘ready for move’ as Erik ten Hag demand emerges
England star linked with Man United transfer ‘ready for move’ as Erik ten Hag demand emerges
22
COMMENTS
Denmark boss explains why Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund has stopped scoring
Denmark boss explains why Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund has stopped scoring
1
COMMENTS
£40m sale, Borussia Dortmund loan, Erik ten Hag forgiveness – Jadon Sancho Man United future decided
£40m sale, Borussia Dortmund loan, Erik ten Hag forgiveness – Jadon Sancho Man United future decided
32
COMMENTS
Michael Owen tells Manchester United how to resolve ‘pathetic’ Jadon Sancho situation
Michael Owen tells Manchester United how to resolve ‘pathetic’ Jadon Sancho situation
13
COMMENTS
Manchester United have three transfers they would love to complete by June 30
Manchester United have three transfers they would love to complete by June 30
11
COMMENTS
Borussia Dortmund fire clear message to Man United star Jadon Sancho after statement released
Borussia Dortmund fire clear message to Man United star Jadon Sancho after statement released
21
COMMENTS
Joshua Zirkzee could put Manchester United on notice after Erik ten Hag decision
Joshua Zirkzee could put Manchester United on notice after Erik ten Hag decision
4
COMMENTS
Sancho spent the second half of last season on loan with Dortmund and their sporting director, speaking before the Champions League final, hinted they’d be open to signing him permanently.
United could invite Dortmund to bid £25m for Sancho and request for Fullkrug to be included in the deal, which would be shrewd business. If that avenue isn’t possible and Dortmund don’t want to sign Sancho permanently, it would still be worth launching a bid for Fullkrug.
United need to think outside the box and Fullkrug could be a great option.
