Trying to predict who will spearhead Manchester United's attack in their Premier League opener against Wolves on August 14 is an almost impossible challenge.
The Reds, who will get their pre-season preparations underway in less than three weeks' time, have prioritised the addition of a world-class striker in this summer's transfer window. With the exception of Marcus Rashford, who netted 30 goals, United had nobody who could they rely on to put the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis during the 2022/23 campaign.
It is why manager Erik ten Hag has made it his primary mission to bring in a new No.9 this summer. United have drawn up a list of targets and are continuing to assess each of them, though their budget will dictate who they will be capable of landing.
Tottenham Hotspur ace Harry Kane is the Dutchman's preferred target, but the Reds are working under the assumption that the Londoners will not sell their star asset this summer, despite his contract being up in 12 months' time. It means United are being forced to take their search elsewhere.
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The likes of Napoli's Victor Osimhen, Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta and Eintracht Frankfurt star Randal Kolo Muani all feature on the list of alternative options, but each of them will cost a hefty-sized transfer fee, particularly Osimhen, who netted a very impressive 31 goals in 39 matches in the most recent campaign. But whoever United do lure to Old Trafford, they know it is a move they have to get right and get instant results from.
The club is under intense pressure to recruit a new No.9 this summer and the chosen candidate will have to prove that they can deliver the goods from the off, as will United for selecting their chosen option. Nevertheless, it is a transfer mission that should have been completed 12 months ago.
That is the opinion of Gary Neville, anyway. The former United captain, a year ago, highlighted the importance of the club getting a new striker through the door last summer, even though Cristiano Ronaldo was still on the club's books at that juncture.
He also pleaded with United to strengthen their midfield options, something they did by drafting in Christian Eriksen and then Casemiro. A year on, however, they are looking to add to their pool of midfielders again.
"We know the areas they absolutely need to actually strengthen," Neville told United's club website, speaking in June 2022. "Central-midfield is an absolute necessity. An absolute necessity. Manchester United need midfield players.
"They also need a centre forward. I know Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to stay and he's an absolutely brilliant performer, but they need a centre-forward. Centre-forward is a must."
Considering Neville felt the addition of a striker was a "must" 12 months ago, at a time where the club already had both Anthony Martial and Ronaldo on their books, it is an absolute necessity this time around. Failure to bring in a No.9 would leave supporters raging and Ten Hag deeply frustrated.
The club can ill-afford to exit the window without the addition of a striker, regardless of who they end up being able to bring in. There is confidence that United will get the No.9 that Ten Hag richly craves, but guessing who it might be, certainly at this stage, is proving increasingly difficult.
However, it is important to remember, despite the mounting frustrations, that the transfer window is only just over a week old, meaning there is bags of time for the situation to be resolved. But for United's sake, it is a mission they need to complete sooner rather than later, though it is vital they find the right striker and not just choose to bring one in for the sake of it.
