Ralf Rangnick concedes it is "obvious" Manchester United need to add new faces in attack despite having Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks.
The Old Trafford outfit are set for a squad overhaul in the summer once Erik ten Hag officially arrives from Ajax. The Dutchman will inherit a team desperately in need of a fresh impetus following a season that has been well below expectations.
United added Ronaldo in the summer as they sought to improve on last season's second place showing, but are due to finish outside the top four. The Portuguese star has scored over 20 goals - by far the most at the club. However his presence has copped regular criticism.
At 37 Ronaldo is no longer at the peak of his powers and there have been suggestions that his arrival upset the dynamics of the team. His regular starting role has blocked paths for others and Rangnick admits new faces will be needed in the final third.
He told Sky Sports : "This is a question you need to ask Erik ten Hag. He's showed that he can still be a vital part of this team, but it's obvious the team needs some more strikers. There should be two or three new strikers next season, it's pretty obvious."
Ten Hag's style of play and philosophy appears to be at odds with the way in which Ronaldo plays the game. That has led to rumours of an exit for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. United need a long-term solution in attack and Ronaldo will not provide that at his age.
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Edinson Cavani is due to leave whilst Anthony Martial faces an uncertain future. Marcus Rashford has looked a shadow of his former self and will need revitalising. Liverpool and Manchester City are the current benchmark for the Red Devils, but Rangnick insists they must look to add players whom they can develop if they have ambitions of chasing down the leading duo.
"If you think of Manchester City and Liverpool, they brought in [players] every transfer window," he added. "They strengthened the team, they brought in players not that popular at the time when they signed and developed into the two best teams in the world.
"I wouldn't be surprised if they play in the Champions League final in a few weeks. This shows it is possible that this can happen and it would not necessarily need three, four years in order to do that."
