Sir Jim Ratcliffe is too late to sign Manchester United's perfect Rasmus Hojlund alternative

Following the big-money signing of Rasmus Hojlund last summer, it might be somewhat strange to those on the outside looking in that Manchester United are going to try and sign another striker this summer.

United parted with an initial fee of £64million to bring Hojlund to Old Trafford last August. Currently on 13 goals in all competitions, his maiden season in England is on course to be a success.

When United have been without him though, a huge void has been left at the top end of the pitch. Anthony Martial has been sidelined since January after undergoing surgery on a groin problem, meaning Erik ten Hag has had to juggle his forward line when Hojlund has been unavailable.

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Martial is poised to leave Old Trafford this summer when his contract expires, meaning Hojlund will become the only senior centre-forward on the club's books. United will source a replacement for Martial by bringing in a striker who can offer backup to Hojlund.

United are planning to strengthen in a handful of positions ahead of next season and signing a striker is unlikely to earn as big a budget as the projects to sign a starting centre-back and starting midfielder will. It means they will almost certainly have to box clever.

The likes of Harry Kane and Ivan Toney have been linked with moves to M16, but it is unrealistic to expect either of those two to make moves to Old Trafford to occupy positions behind Hojlund. Plus, they would both command an eye-watering transfer fee that United may feel would be better invested in a position in greater need of attention.

Last week, Sir Jim Ratcliffe hinted at the direction in which he wants to take United's recruitment, suggesting he wants to move away from signing established players for lucrative transfer fees to unearth lesser known gems with potential to flourish.

Speaking on the Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast, Ratcliffe said: "What I would rather do is find the next [Kylian] Mbappe, rather than spend a fortune just trying to buy success. It's not that clever, is it, buying Mbappe, in a way?

"Anybody could figure that one out. But what's much more challenging is to to find the next Mbappe, the next [Jude] Bellingham or the next Roy Keane."

With that sentiment in mind, United, had Ratcliffe been in a position to oversee the club's recruitment last summer, could have done far worse than turning to Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres. The striker was at Coventry City and was putting himself in the shop window to earn a lucrative move to a big-name club.

Despite being linked with a cluster of Premier League clubs, he was snapped up by Sporting Lisbon for £20million. He had excelled at Coventry, ending last season with 22 goals.

As well as being a prolific goalscorer, Gyokeres also demonstrated he had the traits every good striker needs: pace, power and physicality. His all-round game was that of a player who was capable of playing at a higher level.

Thirty-nine games into his Sporting career and he has already plundered 36 goals and registered 14 assists. As a result, the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea have recently been linked with £80m-£90m moves. He has a €100m (£85.5m at current rate) release clause in his contract.

On reflection, some of the Premier League's elite, including United, missed a trick last summer when he was available for a fraction of the cost. Less than 12 months later he is one of the most coveted strikers in Europe, earning a wealth of attention. Sporting will do well to retain him this summer.

But he would expect to start week-in, week-out.. Had Ratcliffe been at the helm last summer, a player of Gyokeres' profile may have perfectly aligned with his new strategy.