Manchester United MUST replace Anthony Martial

James Shearman

• Updated: 26 Jan 2023 19:14 GMT
• 4 min read

Manchester United need an upgrade on Anthony Martial if they are to challenge for the Premier League title.

Having lost to Arsenal on Sunday, United's hopes of winning the league in the 2022-23 season are all but over.

Erik ten Hag's side deserve credit for the improvements made, but they will continue to fall short of the major honours unless they improve in this key area.

MORE: Man Utd or Liverpool: Where next for Ryan Gravenberch

Before the start of next season, the Red Devils must sign an upgrade on Anthony Martial - Wout Weghorst does not count.

The Frenchman's ability to lead the line for a Champions League side is in question, but his availability, or lack thereof, is an even bigger issue.

Martial has made just nine appearances in the league this season and he has only made 30 or more league appearances in two of his eight seasons at the club.

Give Ten Hag a top striker to depend on and United will be contenders in 2023-24.

Who could replace Anthony Martial?

Goncalo Ramos – Benfica

Portugal’s top flight has brought several successful players to England in recent years, with Bruno Fernandes perhaps the most obvious example.

After landing the creative playmaker from Sporting, United are linked with a move for the Benfica forward, who has thrived since Darwin Nunez was sold to Liverpool.

Benfica are no mugs when it comes to selling, though, and the fee that they are likely to command for the 21-year-old forward is likely to be an expensive one.

Harry Kane – Tottenham

Manchester United have wanted Harry Kane for years and this summer could be their best chance of landing him. He will have just one year left on his contract.

Tottenham will still command up to £100 million for the England international, but that's the going rate for Premier League proven stars.

Barring long-term injury, he would break Alan Shearer's all-time goalscoring record within three seasons at Old Trafford.

Victor Osimhen – Napoli

Another player Man Utd have been linked with for a long period, Osimhen has been on fire in Serie A with Napoli this season.

United are closely monitoring the 24-year-old, who is under contract until 2025, meaning that his transfer value remains high.

This, combined with interest from several different clubs, means that Man Utd will have to pay a fortune to land the former Lille attacker.

Benjamin Sesko – Red Bull Salzburg

Teenage forward Benjamin Sesko has been tracked by Man Utd since the summer, and though he still only has 10 senior league goals to his name, he is a player that the recruitment team clearly love.

He has a massive opportunity for growth and could be moulded into Ten Hag’s ideal centre-forward.

United may have to pay over the odds for the 19-year-old, who celebrates his next birthday on 31 May, but given his age, that could be seen as worthwhile in this case.