As well as scouting midfield reinforcements, Erik ten Hag is keen to bolster his attacking options this summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a successful homecoming with a 24-goal haul this season but he has had little in the way of a suitable backup. The departing Edinson Cavani was laden with injury for large chunks of the season, Mason Greenwood has been unavailable since January and Marcus Rashford endured a wretched campaign.
That's why Ten Hag is reportedly targeting young South American superstar Darwin Nunez. The Uruguay starlet netted 34 goals for Benfica this term and has attracted the attention of several European giants, including United.
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However, Ten Hag is set to offer a lifeline to Rashford despite his recent woes. He will be trialled as a centre-forward in friendlies this summer if the club cannot recruit a striker.
While many will be hoping for the England international to succeed, this may cause Ten Hag to re-evaluate his pursuit of Nunez. Ronaldo will want to start every game and Rashford will not want to be third in the pecking order, which he may be if Nunez arrives.
Nunez offers just as much versatility as United ’s No.10, being able to play as a wide forward as well as down the centre. But Ten Hag will want to bring the 22-year-old in to lead the line, rather than upset Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga - as well as any other wide forwards he wishes to sign.
It could cause a dilemma in regards to fitting Rashford, Ronaldo and Nunez into the same team. It’s an issue Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp highlighted when Liverpool played Benfica in the Champions League this season.
He said: "He's [Nunez] a good striker and the next one from Uruguay. I don't know how they play together – Cavani, (Luis) Suarez and him – in one team.
"That's a challenge to put that in place. Top, top boy. Yes, the goals he's scored… so he's not shy."
Any Nunez transfer would incur a big cost and Ten Hag knows the youngster will demand game time. Rashford’s pre-season performance, therefore, may well dictate his future and Nunez's thoughts on a United switch.
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