Mauro Icardi, Raul de Tomas and Jamie Vardy: Manchester United's striker search continues under Erik ten Hag

Manchester United’s pursuit for a striker continues as the 2022 Summer Transfer Window enters its final stages.

This is a pursuit that some may deem an ongoing process since the departure of Robin van Persie in 2015, when the Dutch striker left for Turkish side Fenerbahce.

Since then, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Romelu Lukaku, Odion Ighalo and Edinson Cavani have all come in and made swift exits out of Old Trafford, with that list potentially getting longer with the names United have been linked with in recent days.

Cristiano Ronaldo looks to be another addition to that list, with the club open to receiving offers for the striker.

United have reportedly been in contact with Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy over a potential transfer, with the Reds prepared to offer the 35-year-old a one-year deal.

Though Vardy’s age is slightly concerning with United needing a long-term striking option, the Englishman certainly knows where the net is, hitting more than 13 goals in each of his last seven seasons in the Premier League.

In the last two seasons, Vardy hit 15 league goals in each campaign, both while struggling with knee and hamstring injuries and missing 21 games in the previous eight months.

As Brendan Rodgers’ attacking options are fairly strong depth wise, it could well be a possibility for Vardy to switch the King Power for Old Trafford, however he hasn’t been the only central striker Erik ten Hag’s side have been linked to.

United have also been informed of the availability of PSG striker Mauro Icardi and Espanyol’s Raul de Tomas.

Icardi’s contract at the Parc des Princes currently runs until the summer of 2024, however the French champions bolstered their options earlier this summer, bringing in 20-year-old striker Hugo Ekitike from Stade de Reims.

PSG’s transfer strategy has seen a change over the course of the summer, as the Qatar-owned club appointed highly rated sporting director Luis Campos, who is seemingly a fan of United’s Marcus Rashford.

Rashford’s brother Dwaine Maynard has held talks with the Parisians’ entourage, though Ten Hag is adamant for the 24-year-old to stay at Old Trafford.

Speaking in last Friday’s press conference, when asked about a potential move to PSG, Ten Hag said: “I love him. He knows I want him to be here, so I will tell him that again.”

As for De Tomas, he is a 27-year-old attacker who came through the ranks at Real Madrid and the Spaniard has scored 44 times in 85 appearances for his current Catalan club.

Manchester United are looking desperate for goals at the moment, with their only goal so far in the Premier League coming from an own goal by Alexis Mac Allister.

The club will be looking to get back to winning ways against Liverpool, who themselves are struggling for form after consecutive draws against Fulham and Crystal Palace have left them in 12th, while United sit dead last in 20th.

Despite scoring a large number of goals in pre-season, Erik ten Hag has a lot on his plate to figure out how to fix this current mess.

The two sides face off on Monday evening.