With the Europa League final looming, there no doubt remains a number of selection calls to make for manager Ruben Amorim, with there likely to be few nailed-on starters in Bilbao, not least considering the club's continued woes domestically.
One position that, unfortunately, almost picks itself is the centre-forward berth, with the Portuguese coach forced to select the struggling Rasmus Hojlund by default, considering the lack of alternatives.
Hojlund-Man-United
Indeed, the Red Devils suffered the blow of losing Joshua Zirkzee for what looks to be the remainder of the campaign, with the Dutchman notably netting against Real Sociedad and Lyon in successive away trips.
Equally, the decision not to include 17-year-old starlet, Chido Obi, in the Europa League squad has now potentially backfired, thus leaving Hojlund as the only senior striker available in the competition.
With Chelsea - and then Aston Villa - to come in the Premier League, however, it would be worth Amorim experimenting with a different approach, with the 40-year-old potentially overlooking a potential solution in the academy ranks.
How Man Utd can replace Hojlund
With a trip to Stamford Bridge in store on Friday - just five days prior to next Wednesday's crucial clash with Tottenham Hotspur - it may be a wise choice to take Hojlund out of the firing line, not least with the Dane against drawing a blank against West Ham United at the weekend.
Hojlund's game in numbers vs West Ham
Stat
Touches
Pass accuracy
Shots on target
Shots off target
Key passes
Successful dribbles
Big chances created
Big chances missed
Possession lost
Ground duels won
Aerial duels won
Stats via Sofascore
That alteration could potentially see young Obi thrown into the mix, albeit with the teenager still far from the finished article, having also failed to find the back of the net himself in seven first-team appearances this season.
Something of "a goal machine" at academy level, according to analyst Ben Mattinson, the former Arsenal ace has found the step up to life in the senior ranks far more difficult, with journalist Samuel Luckhurst noting that he looked like an 'an underdeveloped 17-year-old boy among men', following his first start in the 4-3 defeat to Brentford.
Chido-Obi-Man-United
Even Amorim subsequently admitted that Obi had been "naive" with regard to the use of his body against the Bees, with that outing seeing him register just nine passes, while winning just two of his nine attempted duels.
As his absence from the Europa League roster explains, Obi is perhaps not yet truly ready to be leading the line for the first team, having arguably been thrown in too soon due to Hojlund's woes.
Further options could lie in the form of Kobbie Mainoo in a false nine role, with Bruno Fernandes or Amad also potential solutions in that berth, yet Amorim may wish to consider looking elsewhere in the academy ranks for an in-house alternative.
Man Utd could be brewing Amorim's next Gyokeres
Amorim must be tearing his hair out at the lack of a consistent striker in Manchester. Back in Lisbon, meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres continues to go from strength to strength for Sporting CP, having racked up 95 goals in just 100 games for the club to date.
viktor gyokeres
66 of those strikes came in just 68 games under Amorim's watch, following the Swede's arrival from Coventry City in the summer of 2023, with it no surprise that there has been talk of a reunion at Old Trafford ahead of next term.
That said, the new United boss may already have a prolific, exciting attacking talent of his own who he can mould into his next Gyokeres, with 18-year-old, Victor Musa, currently shining in the youth set-up.
In the pipeline
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
A towering centre-forward - in a similar mould to the 6 foot 2 Gyokeres - Musa has been a revelation this season at U18 level, having previously been hampered by injury last term.
Indeed, the promising marksman has scored 16 times in just 19 games at U18 Premier League level in 2024/25, with that return including a brutal six-goal haul in the 13-1 win over rivals Leeds United last month.
That outing showcased the full array of his striking potential, with Musa leading the line in superb fashion, having regularly cut in off the right flank with devastating effect, while also possessing a poacher's instinct in the penalty box.
A player who can also operate on the flanks if required - much like Gyokeres has done in his career previously - the versatile talent is now even at the centre of a tussle between Spain and England regarding his international allegiance, having thus far featured for both nations at youth level.
There had been reports that he is even being deemed to be United's own version of Barcelona superstar, Lamine Yamal, a further nod to just how highly-rated the left-footer is right now.
With Hojlund needing a rest and Obi still looking too raw, Musa could be worthy of his own chance to impress against the Blues, be it off the bench or with a surprise start in west London.
Man-Utd-Amorim-Gyokeres
Amorim, either through the transfer market or with an in-house option, needs to find his next Gyokeres-esque attacking figurehead. Why not give Musa the chance to showcase why he could be a homegrown alternative to the Swedish monster?
Ugarte-Man-Utd-Premier-League Related
[A worse signing than Ugarte: Amorim must axe "horrendous" Man Utd flop](https://www.footballfancast.com/worse-signing-than-ugarte-amorim-must-ditch-man-utd-flop-altay-bayindir/ "A worse signing than Ugarte: Amorim must axe "horrendous" Man Utd flop")
Man Utd are in need of reinforcements all across the park this summer