The absence of a dependable center-forward presence at Manchester United right now will be a major worry for manager Erik ten Hag, as January signing Wout Weghorst has so far failed to make an impact at Old Trafford.
According to journalist Josh Bunting, the towering Dutchman has undoubtedly "worked so hard" during his time in Manchester, but he hasn't been able to match that eager work ethic with a finished product, scoring just twice in 18 appearances across all competitions, all of which have come from the start.
Since joining United on loan from Burnley earlier this year, the 30-year-old's frequent inclusion in the lineup has coincided with fellow forward Anthony Martial's frustrating, ongoing absence due to injury. Martial has struggled mightily this season.
Manni Norkett, an 18-year-old sensation who was born in Nottingham, has been in dazzling form recently at the youth level, and he may end up being the player to help alleviate Ten Hag's striking problems.
The teenager, who has scored 18 goals in just 38 games for the club's U18 team, has previously been hailed as a player who could be the "real deal" in the future, according to one past youth coach, Garry Attwood.
The outstanding player has also recently made a few outings for the U21 squad. His remarkable total includes a haul of eight goals in just 12 appearances in the U18 Premier League this season.
The journalist Shaun Connolly described the striker earlier this year as one of the United players who is "on the cusp of [the] first team," which is a sign of how highly Norkett is regarded by those in the know even though the prolific ace still needs to establish himself in that latter age group.
While on loan at lower league team Gainsborough last season, the youngster received praise from manager Tom Shaw, who called him a "real prospect" and an individual who "plays with plenty of confidence and authority for such a young man."
Norkett has shown that he is not lacking in confidence, as evidenced by his memorable imitation of Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland's jubilation after the U18s' comeback victory over Manchester City earlier in the season, which resulted in a score of 3-2.
According to manutd.com, the young player has a "excellent work rate" and an obvious "eye for goal," the latter of which appears to place him ahead of the Anthony Martial, who Bunting has labeled a "lazy player."
The 27-year-old Frenchman does have eight goals registered to his name despite his lack of match time this season, but Ten Hag has previously claimed that the Red Devils play their "best football" when he is in the side. The issue has been the inability to get him fit and firing consistently.
As a result, there have been rumors that the Carabao Cup champions may be about to end the £250,000 per week player's eight-year tenure at the club. Ten Hag and company are reportedly considering moves for players like Victor Osimhen and Harry Kane.
Even if either of those latter two are signed, United will still appear to need a capable backup to step in occasionally. The former Ajax manager may be better served looking to the academy ranks for that solution than placing even more faith in the injured Martial.
It should now be time for the Red Devils to give another player through the middle a chance, thereby promoting young Norkett over the coming months or ahead of next season, as the latter man has more than had his fair share of chances to impress over the years.
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