Man Utd's striker options behind Rasmus Hojlund after missing out in January transfer window

Going into the 2008/09 season, Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to replicate the formidable strength in depth boasted by his 1999 treble winners.

"For us to achieve what we want to, we must have four strikers of the quality of Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer," the legendary Manchester United manager insisted.

Back then, the Scot could call upon any one of Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney or Dimitar Berbatov. Erik ten Hag has no such riches.

With Anthony Martial sidelined until the middle of April after undergoing groin surgery, Rasmus Hojlund is United's only senior striker after a desperately quiet January transfer window.

"It's not a secret that I wanted a striker extra," Ten Hag revealed. Over the final five months of the campaign, the manager admitted: "We have to be a little bit creative if it's up to the number nine position."

Here are some of the solutions Ten Hag could employ if Hojlund is unable to play every minute.

Marcus Rashford

When he was working his way through United's academy, Rashford would train for all three positions across the frontline. Yet, as an established star, the squad's best-paid player only seems content with a role on the left wing.

Rashford's hold-up play with his back to goal has never been his strong suit but if he can find space to burst behind opposition rearguards through the middle, he'll be in a better position to take aim than on his favoured perch out wide.

Omari Forson

Ten Hag has shown little hesitation in giving first-team opportunities to United's academy graduates this season, just look at the rise of Kobbie Mainoo. Omari Forson was the figure that rolled the ball back for Mainoo before he embarked upon his match-winning slalom against Wolverhampton Wanderers - although it could hardly be hailed as an assist.

A member of United pre-season tour, Forson started against Borussia Dortmund in the US but didn't make it to the interval after a scuffle with Karim Adeyemi. Ten Hag admitted that the 18-year-old could have been sent off but has kept a keen eye on Forson since, giving the spindly forward his Premier League debut on the first day of February.

Amad Diallo

A knee injury sustained last summer prevented Amad Diallo from making a single appearance before Christmas. As he is gradually eased into first-team activities, Amad could wriggle into United's forward line.

A productive loan spell in the Championship with Sunderland last term saw Diallo deployed on the right wing and through the middle. Whether the slight, 5'8 Ivory Coast international would have the physical profile to play upfront in the Premier League remains to be seen, but Ten Hag did namecheck Amad when listing alternatives for Hojlund.

Scott McTominay

"In our tactics and planning, our game plan is often that we want him to be high," Ten Hag revealed when explaining Scott McTominay's role in the side earlier this season. "He has a very good smell when to arrive and then he has also a very good finish."

There is no unsustainable hot streak behind McTominay's status as United's leading goalscorer this season - the box-crashing midfielder also boasts the highest expected goals (xG) tally in the squad, getting on the end of chances worth a goal every three games.

McTominay has dispelled the myth that he used to play as a striker in his youth but he could benefit from more permanent advanced positioning at senior level. Shifting McTominay out of midfield would also plug the hole he leaves when cantering into the box in open play.

Bruno Fernandes

The reaction was resoundingly negative at the time but a lot has changed since Bruno Fernandes was last trialled in a false nine role for Manchester United. Back in the spring of 2022, Ralf Rangnick infamously shifted the Portuguese playmaker up the pitch, almost in a dual role with Paul Pogba, for a trip to Manchester City's Etihad Stadium.

The match ended in a humbling 4-1 loss but United had equalised in a first half which wasn't entirely without merit. Rangnick only attempted the unorthodox setup once more - a 1-1 draw with Leicester City - but Fernandes could be more effective in an advanced role without the similarly undisciplined Pogba alongside him. After all, Ten Hag did warn he may have to get creative.

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