*Manchester United Intensifies Search for a New Striker Amid Summer Transfers**
Manchester United is ramping up efforts to secure a new striker this summer, responding to the need for a fresh offensive force as they scout potential targets.
### Hojlund Needs Support
Rasmus Hojlund, brought in by Erik ten Hag last summer, had a season of highs and lows at Old Trafford. The young Danish forward shone brightly mid-season but struggled at the beginning and end, with nine of his 12 Premier League goal contributions coming in a concentrated seven-week period between December and February.
#### Hojlund’s Performance Breakdown
| Metric | Games 1-18 | Games 19-25 | Games 26-38 |
|—————————-|————|————-|————-|
| Appearances | 14 | 6 | 10 |
| Starts | 11 | 6 | 8 |
| Goals | 0 | 7 | 3 |
| Assists | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Goals/Assists per game | 0 | 1.5 | 0.375 |
At just 21 years old, Hojlund often found himself shouldering the attacking burden alone but demonstrated considerable promise. With Anthony Martial departing as a free agent this summer, Hojlund is currently the only recognized striker on United’s roster, making reinforcements a priority.
### Search for Reinforcements
Manchester United’s plans to sign Benjamin Sesko were derailed when he extended his contract with RB Leipzig. This has compelled the club to consider alternative options. With new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe determined to avoid past transfer blunders, United is keen to find a young striker who can complement Hojlund and bring reliability and cost-efficiency to the squad.
### Interest in Maximilian Beier
According to Sports Bild (via Sport Witness), Manchester United is eyeing 21-year-old Maximilian Beier, who has also attracted interest from Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool. The Hoffenheim forward enjoyed a breakout season, netting 16 goals in 33 Bundesliga appearances, which led to his call-up to the German national team. Beier made his debut in the June internationals and is set to compete in EURO 2024 in Germany.
Hoffenheim’s sporting director, Alexander Rosen, had high praise for Beier, stating, “Maxi Beier is a super guy and an extremely talented striker. He is incredibly fast, dangerous, and can kick really well.”
Manchester United has reportedly initiated contact regarding Beier’s availability, inquiring about the terms of a potential transfer. Hoffenheim has pointed to his €32.5 million (£27.4 million) release clause as the benchmark for negotiations. This release clause is set to decrease by €2.5 million each summer over the remaining three years of his contract, during which he earns £16,000 per week.
Given that strong performances at EURO 2024 could escalate interest from other clubs, Manchester United may look to finalize a deal for Beier sooner rather than later if they are serious about bolstering their attacking options.
