In less than 24 hours, the summer transfer window will be shut. Prior to that, Manchester United seem desperate to rope in a striker, as they lack striking options.
Queens Park Rangers's (QPR) striker Charlie Austin has been heavily linked with the Red Devils in the last 24 hours.
United will have to shell out £15 million for Austin to bring him from Championship to the English Premier League (EPL).
Although QPR was relegated to the Championship from EPL last season, Austin steered in 18 goals in 36 games. That set alarm bells ringing for a number of clubs in England. Other clubs that have been monitoring the 26-year old striking talent are Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton. But the odds in England suggest that United are looking favourite to sign Austin before the summer transfer window closes at 6pm (BST) and 10:30 pm (IST) on Tuesday.
United seemed toothless on Sunday against Swansea City FC at the Liberty Stadium in Cardiff. The latter was too good for United as they yet again came back from behind to take the game away from Louis Van Gaal's men in Red. Similar to what they did in February 2015 (last season), Swansea beat United 2-1, ending United's undefeated streak in this season of the Premier League.
The loss has probably given a push to land a striker before the transfer deadline. United is definitely in need of a striker to compete alongside Wayne Rooney. It will be interesting to see whether Manchester United accepts Austin's wage demands (£85,000-a-week), which has retracted many clubs so far.
"If (Javier) Hernandez leaves, they've got one striker in Wayne Rooney. They have to resolve the centre-forward (situation) in the next two days. I'd be absolutely staggered if there wasn't a striker brought in. It has to happen," former Manchester United defender Gary Neville told reporters on Sunday after their loss to Swansea.
