United planning ambitious swoop for American hotshot likened to Haaland who has nine goals from four starts – report

Marcus Rashford opened the scoring for Manchester United against Ipswich Town on Sunday but that was as good as it got for the Red Devils and in the end, they were lucky to escape Portman Road with a point.

Ruben Amorim will have realised the scope of the task he has just agreed to with lack of goals an immediate concern. As revealed by the Portuguese, the No 9 position is not something that suits the Manuncian.

But with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee also struggling up top, the England international could be set for more opportunities while INEOS will hope that Amorim can eventually bring the best out of the Erik ten Hag signings.

Rashford and the Netherlands international have been linked with January exits and while United have no intention of letting either of them go, the former Sporting Lisbon boss has his eyes on former protege Viktor Gyokeres.

Striker hunt

But the 20-time English league champions are keeping plenty of backup options ready and as per TBR Football, they also have their eyes on a young sensation who has been lighting up the Eredivisie in recent weeks.

PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi has nine goals in four starts across all competitions including seven goal contributions his last five club appearances which includes a hat-trick in the club’s most recent league game.

Pepi has revealed in the past that he has modelled his game on Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland with the American’s powerful frame and incredible ball-striking ability reminiscent of the two superstar forwards.

The US international’s heroics in front of goal have attracted the interest of United and fierce rivals Liverpool along with Manchester City and Chelsea.

The 21-year-old has come up by leaps and bounds since his arrival to the Dutch league and a future move cannot be ruled out of he keeps up his ridiculous goalscoring form.

Pepi is a man in demand

“Liverpool continue to keep tabs on PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi with the USA international also on the radar of Premier League rivals Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City.

“Liverpool are long-time admirers of Ricardo Pepi and continue to watch him closely – alongside Chelsea, Man United and Man City – a sudden explosion of goalscoring form could see the Texas-born 21-year-old emerge as a man in considerable demand in the very near future.”

A January exit looks unlikely given PSV’s domestic ambitions. But if the goals keep coming, a summer move could be on the cards with the Dutch club set to record a healthy profit on their initial €11 million investment last year.

The former FC Dallas star’s deal with PSV is valid until 2028 and he has a market value of a mere €12 million but is likely to fetch a lot more, especially if the big guns come calling.

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