Erik ten Hag is facing a genuine striker crisis at Manchester United.

Which he will have to fix in this month’s transfer window if United’s season isn’t going to disintegrate altogether. Because it’s clear that, for the time being at least, Rasmus Hojlund is not the answer to United’s embarrassing problems in front of goal.

The Danish striker has endured a miserable start to life at Old Trafford. Seven goals in 28 appearances, including just one in the Premier League, indicate someone who, at the age of 20, is finding the demands and attention that come with being at United overwhelming.

He should have had a hat-trick in the FA Cup win at Wigan. But come the final whistle, all he got for his troubles was an ear-bashing from United legend Roy Keane.

He’s now known as ‘Rasmiss’ instead of Rasmus. And the fact United have been linked with Timo Werner and 34-year-old Thomas Muller in the January window, speaks volumes for how desperate club bosses are to bolster their attacking options.

Rasmus Hojlund missed gilt-edged chance after gilt-edged chance against Wigan in the FA Cup (Image: Getty Images)

As it stands, agricultural midfielder Scott McTominay is United’s top scorer with five goals. A total Erling Haaland surpassed in the first week of September.

And let’s not forget, Haaland cost Manchester City £50m, while Hojlund cost United £72m. It’s why Sir Jim Ratcliffe will overhaul the club’s entire recruitment process once his deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in the club has been ratified.

But let’s be honest, when it comes to signing short-term fixes up front, United’s record is chequered at best, woeful at worst. It’s true that in the past, expensive sticking plasters like Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have been successes.

But for every Ibrahimovic, there has also been a Wout Weghorst or an Odion Ighalo. Two names that will send a cold shiver down the spine of every United supporter.

Ighalo arrived on loan from the Chinese Super League in January 2020 and scored five goals in 23 appearances. Weghorst, meanwhile, also arrived at United on loan, in January 2023, from Besiktas, via Burnley, and scored twice in 29 appearances.

The likes of Edinson Cavani and Radamel Falcao have also come and gone in recent times, with the club’s treatment of the latter even reducing him to tears at times. Both Ighalo and Weghorst in particular exposed United’s long-standing problems when it comes to having short-term vision.

Rasmus Hojlund has scored just one Premier League goal and failed to register a single assist since his £72m summer transfer (Image: Getty Images)

Hojlund is a long-term investment, at least, but he will have to come good. “Rasmus is a truly exceptional talent,” United’s football director John Murtough said at Hojlund’s unveiling.

“Working under Erik ten Hag and his coaches will provide Rasmus with the perfect development platform. Everyone across the club will ensure that he is given the time and all the support required to reach his immense potential.”

That’s all well and good, but “time” is not something Ten Hag and his team have on their side at the moment. Solutions need to be found in the coming weeks – and fast.

Before the door slams shut on another unacceptable campaign from one of the so-called biggest clubs in the world.