Ally McCoist has urged Manchester United to make a shock move for Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug while questioning the value of Erik ten Hag signing Andre Onana.
United are expected to sign a new forward this summer to support Rasmus Hojlund, who endured a somewhat underwhelming first year at Old Trafford despite showing glimpses of his potential.
McCoist believes Hojlund will come good for Manchester United but insists they still need another striker and has picked out Fullkrug as an ideal signing.
The 31-year-old scored 15 goals last season to help Borussia Dortmund reach the Champions League final and netted in Germany’s emphatic opening win over Scotland at Euro 2024.
McCoist also reckons Ten Hag’s midfield needs strengthening and says Joao Palhinha, who looks set to join Bayern Munich from Fulham, would ‘walk into’ the Manchester United team.
Assessing United’s squad, McCoist told BoyleSports: ‘In the midfield, Manchester United need somebody in there.
‘I do feel for United because they couldn’t get a level of fitness out of the central defenders, so that has got to change, but they need more in the middle of the park.
‘I think Joao Palhinha could be exactly what Manchester United need. He has had another good season at Fulham and he walks into that team in my opinion. That would be strengthening it right away.
‘But if I was at Manchester United I would bring Niclas Fullkrug in and I don’t even think it would be a gamble, he is scoring goals for Borussia Dortmund and for Germany, he’s got the track record that indicates he can score goals. He is no-nonsense.’
McCoist added: ‘They need to sort out their wide areas as well, Marcus Rashford hasn’t been playing to his ability, you saw what happened with Jadon Sancho and Antony isn’t doing it either, he is far too inconsistent.
‘Alejandro Garnacho was the only one that showed any level of consistency. Upfront they have Rasmus Hojlund who struggled early on but I think he will be a good centre forward but they need another one.
‘I’m not convinced about the goalkeeper to tell you the gospel truth. They’re not going to change him. I understand they won’t change him. But I’m not 100% sure that they’ve effectively replaced David de Gea.
‘But if they can get a little bit of luck in keeping the centre backs fit, they definitely need strength in the middle of the park, wide areas and another centre forward, which is a lot.’
Despite finishing eighth last season – their worst result in the Premier League era – Manchester United have decided to give Ten Hag more time to turn things around at Old Trafford.
