Having failed to sign a striker in January, there is no doubt where Manchester United's priority will lie come the summer transfer window.

After spending £108.5million on two unproven centre-forwards in back-to-back summer windows, signing Rasmus Hojlund in 2023 and Joshua Zirkzee last summer, United need to add an established No.9 to their attacking ranks ahead of next season.

Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has been touted as the dream solution to United's goalscoring troubles, while other names have been mooted. Regardless of who United identify as their top target, it is a transfer mission they cannot afford to fail.

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After allowing Marcus Rashford and Antony to head out on loan, United's attack is down to the bare bones. It is likely to become even weaker come the summer, with Rashford and Antony highly likely to follow Jadon Sancho out the door on a permanent basis.

It means as well as needing to bring in a world-class striker to spearhead their attack, United will also need further reinforcements for the No.10 positions. In Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system, the two No.10s are tasked with operating closely to the central striker and offering a genuine goal threat.

Amorim has often tinkered with his combinations in the No.10 positions since his November arrival, deploying the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Alejandro Garnacho, Zirkzee and Amad in those roles at various junctures.

Focusing on the right-sided No.10 position in isolation, Amorim has gone on record addressing the need for a left-footed player in that position. Of the aforementioned crop of attackers, only Amad is naturally left-footed.

Speaking ahead of United's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at the end of December, Amorim, addressing his decision to start Amad as the left-sided No.10, said: "I think Amad, in that position [right wing-back], he could be an option, but in this moment, with the type of players we have, we need a left footer on that position in front."

Patrick Dorgu has since arrived from Lecce to offer a left-footed presence and the expectation is that he will eventually be unleashed on United's left, despite starting as the right-sided wing-back against Leicester City on Friday night.

It means as well as putting plenty of energy into the search for a No.9 in the summer, United may also have to find a game-changing option to strengthen their attack in the right-sided No.10 position. This reporter has already suggested why Bryan Mbeumo would be an ideal fit.

The Brentford ace has 14 goals and three assists in 24 Premier League appearances this season and is renowned for coming inside from the right on his left foot. He is one of the top flight's most consistent attackers, reflected in his tally of 32 direct goal contributions (23 goals, nine assists) in the league alone since the start of last season.

Mbeumo has entered the final 18 months of his contract at Brentford, meaning he is approaching a stage where his future will be under the microscope, but Brentford have the option to extend his stay by a further year until the summer of 2027, meaning the ball is in their court.

Scoring 14 goals already this term, Mbeumo's asking price is likely to sky-rocket come the summer. He has already been linked Arsenal.

With the greatest of respect, United are not currently as attractive an option as Arsenal are. The best hope United have of salvaging something from this season is by winning the Europa League to secure Champions League qualification for 2025/26.

Having Champions League football as part of their sales pitch come the summer will open doors. Players will be more attracted to clubs if participation in Europe's premier club competition is part of the package.

If United can secure Champions League qualification for next term, they will suddenly become a more attractive option. On the flip side, failure to qualify, followed by another underwhelming season next term, could put them at the back of the queue for Mbeumo, in the event of him being retained by Brentford this summer.

If Brentford do manage to keep hold of him this summer and trigger the option to extend his stay until 2027, United's hopes of signing him would be compounded if their woes were to continue.

United need to be involved in conversations to sign a player of Mbeumo's ilk, and if they fail to sign him this summer and their woes worsen, they won't be come the summer of 2026. Well versed in a three-man attack, Mbeumo ticks a lot of boxes.