For the third summer in succession, Manchester United appear set to bring in a new centre-forward once again, with new boss Ruben Amorim simply crying out for a prolific presence to lead the line.
Not since the days of Robin van Persie has a United player hit 20 goals in a Premier League season, with the young duo of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee scoring just seven times between them in the top-flight in 2024/25.
Matheus Cunha has already arrived through the door – with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo expected to follow – although neither man is an orthodox number nine, ensuring further reinforcements are still needed.
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Four new faces could be in the side against Arsenal in August.
With that in mind, we’ve asked the AI tool ChatGPT to predict which of the Red Devils’ leading targets would prove to be the biggest hit at Old Trafford next term, fitness permitting.
Viktor Gyokeres – 15-20 Premier League goals
By all accounts, the man whom Amorim truly wants is his former Sporting CP talisman, Viktor Gyokeres, with prior reports indicating that the clinical Swede is open to joining United, even amid the lack of Champions League football.
While recent speculation would suggest that it is Arsenal who are more likely to win the race for the 27-year-old’s signature, there remains a glimmer of hope that he could end up in Manchester instead – not least if the Gunners plump for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
The former Coventry City star – who has scored 97 times in just 102 games in Portugal – would certainly represent an upgrade on Amorim’s current attacking options, although the prospect of “tougher defences” in the Premier League, in the view of ChatGPT, could hamper his impact somewhat.
Ollie Watkins – 18–22 Premier League goals
The latest high-profile name to emerge as an option for the Old Trafford side appears to be Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, with reports indicating that contact has already been made regarding a possible move for the England international.
While at 29, the former Brentford man would buck the trend of INEOS’ recent youth-centric transfer policy, his proven Premier League quality has made him an attractive prospect, having hit double figures in each of his five top-flight campaigns.
“The kid is so sharp, he has a great shape to him. His movement is as good as any striker in the Premier League.” Roy Keane on Watkins in 2023/24
In the view of ChatGPT, the experienced marksman could thrive when supplied by the service of the likes of Bruno Fernandes, as “United historically create more chances”, ensuring “Watkins would likely see more high-quality opportunities”.
Victor Osimhen – 20-24 Premier League goals
Watkins’ recent Premier League experience will count for a lot, but it seemingly isn’t everything. If you can score regularly across Europe, surely you can do the same in England?
That appears to be the case with regard to Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, with the Nigerian believed to be among the players that United are considering, amid his expected exit from the Serie A side.
|
Top scoring ST’s – Europe’s top ten leagues |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Goals |
|
Viktor Gyokeres |
39 |
|
Kylian Mbappe |
31 |
|
Robert Lewandowski |
27 |
|
Harry Kane |
26 |
|
Victor Osimhen |
26 |
|
Mateo Retegui |
25 |
|
Alexander Isak |
23 |
|
Omar Marmoush |
22 |
|
Erling Haaland |
22 |
With 151 goals to his name in 264 senior career games, across his time in France, Belgium, Italy, Germany and Turkey, the 26-year-old represents an almost guarantee of goals, having bagged 37 times in just 41 outings on loan at Galatasaray in 2024/25.
According to ChatGPT, that momentum could well be maintained in Manchester, as “his proven scoring consistency, physicality, link-up play, and aerial threat suggest he could swiftly hit the 20‑goal mark in the Premier League”.
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