19 Jul 2026 10:51:58
Morning
Once we had Cole, Yorke, Sheringham and Solskjaer as central strikers. Now we have Sesko and he is injured. Not actually sure what Zirkzee is, but it isn’t a goal scoring CF, more a support striker, or even a 10.
I feel we are far too light in the central striker area. Goals win games.
I feel Kroupi is one we should push to get.
Evan Ferguson was the potential but injury-prone.
There do not seem to be many English CF options. I was reading about Harry Gray, at Leeds, younger brother of Archie who went to Spurs, sounds interesting.
I wonder if the club would actually spend the money, or muddle along. However, anyone have any good choices, young hungry goal scoring CF?
19 Jul 2026 12:04:52
100% we got to get in another striker, an experienced one with pace. Sesko is not capable of being the only striker for the number of games next season, on top of not being anywhere near a finished article yet, and there is also the worry with injuries, which he can't seem to shake off.
In my eyes he is not good enough anyway, but that's another debate. We need another without doubt.
19 Jul 2026 13:29:04
We need at least one.
Kroupi or Mateta would be good.
Mbeumo is an option, as would be Rashford if we can't sell him.
I'd have loved to have Cavani in his prime.
19 Jul 2026 13:29:52
I'd be delighted if we got someone like Mateta. Getting Tielemans, who can play further up, gives options to continue to play Cunha or Mbeumo up top too. But I do think a backup striker is on the list.
We've a lot to do, and another CM and at least one fullback are higher priorities, I'd imagine. We can make do this year, similar to at CB, but I expect us to recruit in both positions by next summer.
19 Jul 2026 13:48:16
Mateta is not good enough. We need a really clinical striker.
19 Jul 2026 14:04:20
Salford, we're looking for a backup. Mateta is a really good player. Kroupi would be more ideal, but he'd cost a lot more.
19 Jul 2026 14:25:02
I think they are working on the LB now, and then a forward player after. Mbeumo, Cunha and, if Rashford stays around, can all play CF.
So I think the focus was on CM and LB first, and if the right forward is around, we will go for him.
19 Jul 2026 15:06:24
Also meant to add, had Rashford been moved on, I'm sure they would've already looked to buy someone else, but because he is still about and a sale hasn't been made, he is ultimately coming back and we now have an additional forward.
So, once his position is clear, I see us prioritising other areas. Keeping Rashford is not ideal, but if he is kept, I don't see them spending more money on another forward.
But if he is moved on, however late in the window, I'm sure there will be options. The good thing is, we do have options.
A long way to go in the window, the World Cup will be finished this week so I presume we will see a couple more transfers next week.
19 Jul 2026 17:23:05
I'd just like to add, with Mateta, it's only last year he failed a medical with AC Milan because of his knee.
19 Jul 2026 19:10:26
Mateta would be a very good back up striker for us for sure, and wouldn't break the bank.
That being said, if Rashford is staying, and that's a big if, he can play anywhere across the forward line, especially LW and CF back up, so I'd doubt we'd buy another player up top.
Despite the work rate issues, he's a quality finisher.
LB and midfield are more pressing.
19 Jul 2026 20:06:51
Rashford isn't staying, he will leave. It may be late in the window when it happens, but he wants to go, we want him to go, and I think there will be plenty of offers for him. Unless he plays silly bu$$ers, of course.
19 Jul 2026 21:32:38
If Mateta comes in, it will be Sesko who is the back up striker.