Louis van Gaal might have insisted otherwise, but the widespread feeling is that Manchester United need to sign a striker before next week's deadline passes.
The Red Devils may have collected a respectable seven points from their first three matches of the new Premier League season, but they have found the net just twice. One of those goals came courtesy of Tottenham Hotspur full-back Kyle Walker, who inadvertently turned the ball into his own net on the opening day, while Adnan Januzaj's effort away at Aston Villa was deflected beyond the reach of Brad Guzan.
But, with just over a week to go to get their transfer business done, who could the Red Devils realistically recruit to ease the burden on a currently goal-shy Wayne Rooney? Here, Sports Mole has selected three players that could become available at the right price.
1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
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For those that have read the Swede's autobiography, a move to Old Trafford would seem highly unlikely. After all, in the book, Ibrahimovic branded Van Gaal a "pompous ass" who "wanted to be a dictator". He came to that conclusion following a stint with Ajax, where Van Gaal had been serving as a director.
Yet, although during a recent interview with Sports Illustrated the 33-year-old insisted that his opinion of Van Gaal had not altered, he did hint that it would not stop him from signing for United when he said: "At the end, I think he is professional and I am professional. Whoever I work with, I never had this kind of problems, because at the end I need to do my job, he needs to do his job, and I think a lot of fights would happen, but that's something I like."
Once viewed as untouchable at Paris Saint-Germain, rumours have been rife that Ibrahimovic is no longer considered a vital cog by head coach Laurent Blanc. Further speculation has suggested that Edinson Cavani has been promised the central striker's role, which would leave little room for the former Barcelona and AC Milan hitman.
While Ibrahimovic would not provide the dynamism and pace that has been lacking from United's attack, he is much more of a target man than Rooney. Physically he would not have a problem adapting to the Premier League either.
2. Karim Benzema
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If you believe everything that you read, if Benzema is to leave Real Madrid over the coming days, he is bound for Arsenal. The latest report is that the Gunners are prepared to part with up to £50m to sign the France international, who would undoubtedly be an upgrade on the current centre-forward options at the Emirates Stadium.
However, were United to enter into a bidding war with their Premier League counterparts, they have something that Arsenal don't - a prized asset that Madrid are desperate to take the Bernabeu. It's common knowledge that the feeling is reciprocated by David de Gea, but so far United have dug their heels in and insisted that they will only sanction the Spaniard's exit if they were to receive a world-record fee for a goalkeeper.
Speculation has previously suggested that United have tried to engineer moves for Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos as part of the De Gea deal, but if Benzema were to show any interest in a move to Manchester, it would make sense for the keeper to crop up in negotiations. It would also bring down the transfer fee from United's point of view.
The 27-year-old's record at the Bernabeu is impressive - 131 goals in 281 outings. Yet, with reports having suggested that new head coach Rafael Benitez will look to use either Cristiano Ronaldo or Bale centrally, Benzema's days as the leading frontman could be numbered.
Should he arrive in the North-West, it will be a move that has been six years in the making. Back in 2009, Sir Alex Ferguson was thought to be close to signing the striker from Lyon, before he eventually opted for the Spanish capital.
3. Saido Berahino
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Speaking after he had been forced to omit Berahino from West Bromwich Albion's 3-2 defeat to Chelsea, Tony Pulis told reporters: "Why are we talking about Saido? Because of the transfer window. It's absolutely ridiculous. For it to be going through the start of the season is ridiculous. We should be talking about this game."
Pulis went on to insist that there had been no fallout with the England Under-21 international, who has been the subject of a recent bid from Tottenham Hotspur. But, the latest this afternoon is that 22-year-old has handed in a transfer request, which has been rejected by the powers that be in the Black Country.
Any move United were to make for Berahino would be regarded as a hijack, with Spurs said to have already agreed personal terms with the youngster. However, interest from the Red Devils would not come as a big shock, given that Van Gaal was believed to have been impressed by Berahino's performance against his side in the 2-2 draw last term. He was also spotted in the crowd during United's FA Cup tie against Arsenal in March.
He may not be the finished article like the other two strikers named above, but he would provide United with some much needed pace and good movement in the final third of the pitch. He scored 20 goals in all competitions last season, which earned him a call-up to the senior England squad.
Liam Apicella
