Manchester United's strikers were signed for over £100million and have scored 11 goals between them this season, so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out a new forward is required.

For a club that has a history of signing brilliant strikers like Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and Robin van Persie, the current options don't compare.

United are a different club these days - they deserve to be in the bottom half of the table this term - and football has evolved but something hasn't changed: you still have a better chance of winning games and trophies if you sign striker who can consistently find the back of the net.

READ MORE: Manchester United make decision on exciting young goalkeeper

READ MORE: Gym sessions, Cavani chats and more - how Manuel Ugarte is making his mark at Manchester United

Scoring goals as a centre-forward is an artform, and selecting the correct finish and executing it practically every time is what separates the world-class strikers from the ordinary.

United signed Rasmus Hojlund in a deal worth £72million in 2023 because they believed he could develop into a world-class striker but it will take time for him to reach his full potential.

Hojlund shouldered the burden of scoring the bulk of the team's goals last season, which was unfair given his age and lack of experience. He is still just 21 years old and might not be a 20-goal per season forward until he's entered his late 20s, which is a slight problem for United.

United need a goalscorer immediately - not in five years. Hojlund's potential is obvious and he's shown enough to suggest he can become a more consistent goalscorer, but his attempt in the first half against Liverpool at the weekend was a reminder that he's got a long way to go.

The angle was tight for Hojlund but it was certainly workable and his selection of finish and execution was poor, which allowed Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson to make a simple save.

Unfortunately, that isn't the first time Hojlund has looked unconvincing in front of goal and it will take time for him to develop that side of his game, which is crucial for any striker.

In an ideal world, Harry Kane would have been signed in the same summer as Hojlund and the Denmark international would have benefited from being an understudy to England's all-time top goalscorer, but Hojlund was left to fend for himself and Joshua Zirkzee was signed in the following year.

Although Zirkzee scored 12 goals in all competitions for Bologna last season and would have been considered a successful signing if he reproduced that tally in his debut campaign as United's back-up striker, it quickly became clear he wasn't the natural goalscorer fans were hoping for.

United paid €42.5million (£36.5m) for Zirkzee and he had the challenge of vindicating that sum by scoring goals but he's netted just four and his future at the club is already in doubt.

It was heartwarming to see United's away support at Anfield chant Zirkzee's name after he was hooked in the first half against Newcastle because that was a brutal moment, however, he has looked below the level required and United may have to cut their losses in the summer.

United will not compete for the Premier League with Hojlund and Zirkzee as their striker options, which means a high-quality forward must be signed for Ruben Amorim's rebuild.

It's embarrassing United need another centre-forward after spending in excess of £100m on two players in that position in successive summers but that's the truth.

The logical solution would be for United to sell Zirkzee in the summer and put those funds toward signing a first choice striker, someone who has the quality to score 20 goals per season.

Hojlund could deputise and continue to learn his craft. There would be less pressure on him and that would help him develop further. United have been too blunt in attack for too long and they must sign a striker who they can rely upon to find the net in the majority of games.

Zirkzee is not that player and Hojlund might become that player in five years.