Man Utd ‘make contact’ with one of Europe’s most lethal strikers as Ten Hag seeks Hojlund support, he would only cost €17.5m

Manchester United have made contact with one of Europe’s most lethal strikers, it has been claimed.

The Old Trafford club have endured a mixed start to the Premier League campaign, in part, on account of the club’s ineffective attack.

Marcus Rashford, who scored some 30 goals in all competitions last season, has netted just twice this time out, while £72million summer signing Rasmus Hojlund has not yet opened his account in the Premier League.

Indeed, United as a whole have only scored 16 league goals in 13 games so far, and are in desperate need of attacking reinforcement.

According to multiple reports, including from the Guardian’s Ed Aarons and Foot Mercato’s Santi Aouna, United have shown an interest in signing Stuttgart's Serhou Guirassy in January.

As per Aouna, United have inquired about the Guinea international, who is enjoying a remarkable season in the Bundesliga, having scored 15 goals in ten matches so far.

Guirassy, who has reportedly also attracted the attention of Roma, AC Milan and Newcastle United, is widely said to have a release clause of just €17.5million (£15million).

Guirassy’s form has come as a surprise to most, with the 27-year-old having scored just 11 times last season. This time out only Bayern Munich's Harry Kane has netted more than the Stuttgart striker in Europe’s top five leagues, with 22 domestically.

United may also look to bolster their defence in January, having conceded 33 goals in all competitions this term - the most in any campaign for United after 20 games since 1962/63.

After United’s 3-3 draw with Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday night, Ten Hag said: "We should have taken three points. This is the same in more games - home against Galatasaray and away in Copenhagen.

"We played so good. So I have to make a compliment to my team but I also have to criticise the team and us as a coaching staff and me as a manager.

"We are not defending well enough, we are leading 3-1 and you can't afford such mistakes because it makes a difference."

He added: "We are in a project and we are moving forward, making improvement. We are going in the right direction. I know which steps we need to take."