MANCHESTER UNITED have been tipped to sign the next Wayne Rooney by former striker Michael Owen.
The ex-Red Devil believes United should be planning long-term by bringing in attackers who can score goals for a number of years.
Owen questioned the lack of potent strikers in the United ranks, pointing out the fact Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have never been reliable goalscorers.
Speaking to AceOdds, Owen said: “I think when youâre Manchester United, you’re probably looking at the next Wayne Rooney, the next 18-year-old, 19-year-old, 20-year-old.
âIf you’re going to buy somebody that you’re going to pay, make money and that’s going to nail that position down for the next decade. But there’s nobody really out there at the moment that theyâve done that with.
âSo theyâve had to bring players in like Casemiro, like Ronaldo, very much the here and now. But they might need to be replaced in the short-term.
âCristiano Ronaldo obviously isn’t getting any younger and is not going to be there for another four, five years.
âYou never know, it might be his last season. So from that point of view, you do wonder where goals will come from. Marcus Rashford has always been a goal scorer but never been absolutely prolific.
â[Anthony] Martial has had lots of chances over time. He’s never been really prolific into the twenties, let’s say. So I think in terms of scoring goals, that’s where Manchester United will have to address it at some point.â
Erik ten Hag reportedly tried to upgrade his attacking options in the summer by signing PSV forward Cody Gakpo.
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The Netherlands international has been in terrific form this season with 13 goals and 16 assists in 22 games and United could move back in for him in January.
Gakpo revealed he was close to joining United in August and would consider a move to the Premier League if another approach was made for him.
