Erik ten Hag could use Amad Diallo as a striker

Well, Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has been speaking about not signing a striker in the January transfer window.

Ten Hag has said that United wanted to sign a striker last month, especially after the injury to Anthony Martial.

However, the former Premier League and UEFA Champions League winners did not get a new forward in the end.

HITC Sport understands that United were offered a number of strikers. Intermediaries got in touch with the Red Devils over former West Ham United striker Sebastien Haller, but they never heard anything back.

United, who are aiming to finish in the top four of the Premier League table this season, were offered the chance to sign Hugo Ekitike as well. They did not take it.

And, now, Ten Hag has suggested that he could use Amad Diallo, 21, and Omari Forson, 19, as a striker.

Photo by MARTIN KEEP/AFP via Getty Images

Diallo is a winger by trade and was linked with a loan move to Sunderland in the January transfer window.

The 21-year-old, described by former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as “one of the most exciting young prospects in the game”, has made one substitute appearance in the Premier League so far this season.

The Sunderland Echo quotes Ten Hag as saying: “It’s not a secret I wanted a striker,” said Ten Hag after the Wolves game.

“With the injury to Martial, we don’t really have the back-up. But it wasn’t possible because we have to match the FFP rules.

“There are some disadvantages with FFP. To make space for FFP, you have to sell players and you have to sell good players and I don’t think that’s the way you build a team.”

The United manager added: “We have Omari, we have Amad Diallo.

“Of course we have (Marcus) Rashford who can play there. But I think for the rest, all the positions are occupied. We have to be a little bit creative, it’s up to the No 9 position.”

My View: Don’t use Amad Diallo as a striker

In my opinion, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag needs to be cautious about using Amad Diallo as a striker.

Diallo is a winger by trade, and while it would not be a bad idea for him to try to play as a striker, the risk is that his confidence could be damaged if he fails to perform in that role.

United are not having the best of times, and I do not think that Ten Hag should ask Diallo to score the goals that the Red Devils need to finish in the Premier League top four.