Despite being heavily linked with a move for various forward during the ongoing transfer window, Manchester United coach Louis van Gaal has insisted that his side are not looking to sign another striker.
The Dutch manager, as reported by Goal after his side’s tight 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, insisted that he was adequately covered in attack.
“No, that is not a special item for me – it is more in the media they are discussing about a striker,” the manager began, speaking to reporters.
“The striker is Wayne Rooney and we also have [Javier] Hernandez, [Adnan] Januzaj and [James] Wilson. It is not a special objective for me.”
However, despite backing his existing quartet of frontman, the manager insisted that he would not turn down the opportunity to buy a forward who could bring something a little different to his existing options.
“But when we can buy another striker who has a lot of qualities, more than our players, then we buy. But we have always done that.
“I said it before but they [the media] are not writing it. I have said it before, we have Rooney. You [the media] said he has to play in a striker’s position.”
Despite van Gaal’s comments, it remains to be seen whether the firepower at United’s disposal would be enough to see them mount a title challenge, particularly when their immediate rivals, Chelsea and Manchester City, can call upon the likes of Diego Costa, Kun Aguero and Wilfried Bony.
Indeed, the Red Devils have been linked with various strikers during the ongoing transfer window, following the departures of Robin van Persie (who moved to Fenerbahce) and Radamel Falcao (whose loan move from Monaco was not renewed).
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According to the Mirror, earlier this week, United are planning to step up their efforts to bring Real Madrid’s France striker Karim Benzema to Old Trafford.
Similarly, the Express have linked United with a move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has only one year left on his contract with the French champions.
Could the Swedish superstar be the kind of player who offers the special qualities LVG craves for his forward line?