Hojlund has scored 13 times this season (Picture: Getty)
Former Manchester United star Alan Smith hopes to see the club sign an experienced striker this summer to ‘ease the strain’on Rasmus Hojlund.
Hojlund, 21, has netted 13 goals in his first season at Old Trafford since his arrival from Atalanta last summer and has been United’s sole option up front for much of the campaign.
Marcus Rashford has struggled in a role leading United’s attack while Anthony Martial has not featured since December. The former Monaco star underwent groin surgery in January and is expected to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
United’s shortage of options is a far cry form the options at the disposal of Sir Alex Ferguson over the years, winning the treble with the quartet of Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham.
Following his move from Leeds to United in 2004, Smith joined a United squad also blessed with firepower in abundance, competing with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha with Wayne Rooney arriving at Old Trafford later that summer.
Hojlund has been left to lead the line on his own, a situation that may change in the summer with another striker believed to be on the club’s list of summer targets.
Smith believes the days of Premier League clubs having more than one traditional no9 in the squad are gone but suggests an experienced option who is happy to sit on the bench could be the right move for United and Hojlund.
Smith played alongside some of United’s great strikers (Picture: Getty)
‘I think it’s always difficult for any club,’ Smith told Metro.co.uk via Casinoservice.
‘I feel like people have said Arsenal need a centre forward, Man United need another striker, but I feel generational times of having a back to goal number 9 are difficult to find these days.
‘People criticise clubs for jumping into the market and buying when it’s not necessary – you’ve got to get the right type and that person who will be prepared to not start every game and be prepared to do what an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would do – he was an incredible goal scorer but he believed in what the club were trying to do moving forward.’
Edinson Cavani spent two seasons at United, offering a huge presence and valuable experience up front despite his best years being behind him. A striker of a similar profile could be an option, but Smith insists United must ensure the right player is brought in.
‘When you look round, and the scouting systems are so vast, they must have players of that type,’ Smith continued.
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‘I’m sure when they signed Hojlund as well, they were probably looking for someone like that who is more experienced and can help him.
‘When you look at the club and the time I was there, if you have experienced players, the younger players learn off these players without there being an emphasis put on it – good players just watch other players and realise that’s who you want to emulate and become.
‘That’s what’s difficult to do because we don’t have an experienced player to take the strain off the younger players, so there’s a big burden on them. I feel like you’d like to have an experienced player, but you’ve got to find the right one.’
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