Erik ten Hag instructs Man Utd to beat Liverpool to striker Jhon Duran

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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly called for his ‘associates’ to sound out their interest in Chicago Fire star Jhon Duran. The teenager is proving hot property, with numerous clubs in Europe keeping tabs on the striker.

Signing a forward is a priority at Old Trafford next summer, though that plan could be accelerated due to Cristiano Ronaldo being surplus to requirements and wanting to leave. His departure would leave Ten Hag short of No 9 options, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial the only recognised players capable of being deployed through the middle.

Though Ten Hag already appears to have found his long-term striker option, with The Sun reporting that United ‘want to fight Liverpool’ for the signature of Duran. The 18-year-old is progressing into a top talent in the MLS, with a move on the cards.

The Colombian’s agent is thought to have travelled to England recently to speak to interested clubs, and United have previously spoken with Duran’s team to make them aware that they are keen. The forward is only valued at approximately £10million, meaning he would be a low risk acquisition by Ten Hag.

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Duran has scored eight and assisted three in 27 league appearances so far this year. But Chicago Fire have continued to underperform despite several stars emerging from their ranks, sitting 12th of 14 in the MLS.

Teams in Spain and Germany are also thought to be keen on Duran, with Liverpool and Chelsea also amongst the Premier League clubs interested. Though the Red Devils will be hoping that Ten Hag’s recent comments about needing depth in the final third could indicate to Duran that he will have regular playing opportunities at The Theatre of Dreams.

Speaking after his side drew 1-1 with Chelsea, the former Ajax boss said: “It’s the fourth game in 10 days and you see, especially with strikers, there’s a little bit of lack of freshness, especially in the end also then the power you get a lack of and we didn’t score the goals. We already had to score first-half and you make your life easier.

“We had to switch the system that we only faced one time and that was against Sociedad in the first half. But we didn’t make the right decisions on the ball in the second half. We didn’t switch enough and when we came in the final third we were not showing composure and patience, [if we had] then I am sure we will create more chances against this Chelsea but we didn’t.”

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