Larsson like striker option that can be the new Sheringham

Olivier Giroud or Thomas Muller are the only profiles who can match that of Henrik Larsson and both of them are not a possibility. Its clear the type of player Erik ten Hag wants and he has already demonstrated he can implement a style of play to get the best out of a player. Next best options available are Youssef En-Nesyri, Wissam Ben Yeddar, Wout Weghorst and Vedat Muriqi. As outlined previously (January 2020) United in recent past had not reached out to fellow big European clubs for signings. This changed when United got Raphael Varane and Casemiro. Earlier Zlatan Ibrahimovic (who is injured now) had joined United on insistence of Jose Mourinho six years ago. United might strike a deal within 10million for loan or exchange due to excess spent on Martinez and Anthony.

Reviewing possible targets:

1. Depay - Barcelona - huge salary and contract as he is looking to exit so loan won't work - X
2. Mehdi Taremi - great stats, proud Asian option, but Porto won't prefer to loan but sell - X
3. Youssef En-Nesyri - 25 age, Sevilla - great header at World Cup for Morocco - Y
4. Moussa Dembele - Lyon - tough negotiators - not a good season - not great at holding the ball - X
5. Wissam Ben Yedder - Monaco Captain so difficult, prev target, great stats - Y
6. Wout Weghorst - Burnley loan to Besiktas so unlike Blackburn striker will NOT impact their promotion attempt so possible, also he is Dutch and scored at World Cup - Y
7. Vincent Janssen - Royal Antwerp - exSpurs flop in Premier League - X
8. Vedat Muriqi - Mallorca - 10m fee as per transfermarkt.co.uk - great stats at whoscored.com, club might prefer to sell than loan but won't be stiff like Porto - Y

Ruled-out:

1. Ivan Toney - Brentford - under investigation
2. Asensio - Real Madrid - not natural 9
3. Olivier Giroud - AC Milan - ruled out due to Zlatan injury
4. Thomas Muller - Neur injury, Muller becomes Captain instead - Bayern Munich
5. Joao Felix - not number 9

Other Possibilities:

1. Marcus Thuram - B Mgldbch 40m fee - new star from world cup
2. Ben Brereton Diaz - MUFC academy graduate - Blackburn chasing promotion so not likely
3. Vitinha - Braga forward just 22 - inexperience
4. Youssoufa Moukoko - need to buy now or agree a free transfer for summer with difficult Dotmund

Else will have to include Harry Maguire (eg Ollie Watkins at Villa), Aaron Wan Bissaka, Donny van de Beek et al as part of deal for loan or exchange. Most recent high profile swap deal involved Alexis Sanchez - Henrikh Mkhitaryan which was a purely financial deal and a footballing disaster. Had made this draft in late December but not published until the news broken by Fabrizio Romano about Manchester United's interest in Wout Weghorst. Weghorst has scored all types of goals, is great in penalty box, holds up the ball to link with his team-mates. Made good impresssion in 2nd half of last season with Burnley not with goals but his play that included an assist against Manchester United in a 1-1 draw.

Ever since Teddy Sheringham experienced the pinnacle of his career at United the urge to sign an experienced striker has always been felt. He scored 46 gems in 153 games across 4 years. Sir Alex Ferguson described his acquisition thus "He was a good finisher, especially in the air, and had the tactical perception and passing skills to release other attackers into scoring positions." which fits the bill now for an attacker needed by Erik ten Hag. Trend was further strengthened by Henrik Larsson's successful three month loan when he was a cult figure amongst players and invested fully in every training session and matches esp at Middlesborough playing in midfield! 

Michael Owen did score in that famous derby win but his Liverpool link and failure of number 7 jersey successors since has mixed responses from fans. Falcao was mostly injured and Louis van Gaal dropped him for a young James Wilson saying "he couldn't play 20 minutes". Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored on his United debut in Community Shield, Premier League and FA Cup; and had a stellar 1st season despite injury in March which ruled out of starting XI in United's last trophy the 2017 UEFA Cup with Jose Mourinho. Club were generous to reward him an extension despite knowing he will not be available soon due to serious ligament injury. Edinson Cavani had a good first season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but missed most of the second season due to injury denting his impact.

Sheringham for 2-4 year tenure and Larsson for short term loan has since become benchmark for minimum requirements. Prior to joining United, Sheringham had played 521 games scoring 232 goals at the age of 31 without winning any major trophy. 30 year old Weghorst (470 club games, 171 goals) has a chance to sign for United like Larsson but can end like new Sheringham!