Erik ten Hag confirms Manchester United searching for Cristiano Ronaldo replacement

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has confirmed that the club are looking to sign a new striker following Cristiano Ronaldo's recent departure.

Ronaldo's exit from Old Trafford was confirmed at the end of November, with the 37-year-old's explosive interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV leading to his contract being terminated.

Man United are now short of options at centre-forward, with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford the team's only senior options in that area of the field, and the former has had his injury problems this term.

The Red Devils have been strongly linked with PSV Eindhoven's Cody Gakpo, but the Netherlands international is now on the verge of completing a move to Liverpool.

Ten Hag has said that Man United need to replace Ronaldo, either by signing a new player or promoting from within.

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"Two things. Impulse can come out of our own club, see [Alejandro] Garnacho, see [Anthony] Elanga, see [Facundo] Pellistri, who made a good impression at the World Cup and also in training. That is first," Ten Hag told reporters.

"Second, yes, we are aware we lost a striker, so I think we have to get a striker in, but it has to be the right one.

"The right one is a player that brings quality to the team, not just adding to the squad because that only gives you problems. And, you know the criteria is high here at Manchester United."

Ten Hag has also claimed that Rashford is capable of scoring 20 Premier League goals this season.

"I don't want to pin myself on a number. I said it from the start, Rashford is capable of scoring 20 goals in the Premier League, I am convinced about that," he added.

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"He now has four, but he has many other goals, he scored three at the World Cup, so he has the potential to also score that number of goals in the Premier League."

Rashford, who has recently had his contract extended until June 2024, has scored nine goals and registered three assists in 20 appearances for the Red Devils this season.

The forward was on the scoresheet in his side's 2-0 win over Burnley in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night and is set to start Tuesday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.

The 20-time English champions are currently fifth in the Premier League table, four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who have played two games more than Ten Hag's side.