With Manchester United struggling for goals, and seemingly thin on the ground in terms of attacking options, the madness that is the transfer window has provided re-enforcements.

United sign teenage striker for huge fee

Linked to almost every player that can kick a ball, one deal that flew under the radar was the young French prospect, Anthony Martial, who has joined for a staggering fee. Is he the right person to make Louis van Gaal's philosophy work and breathe life into United's misfiring attack?

Looking back in recent history, United have had some legendary forwards, but they haven't always delivered in front of goal. After George Best scored 20 league goals in 1967-68, United had to wait 20 years for a striker to achieve the same feat. Brian McClair was the player who obliged in 1987-88. It wasn't that United did not have any decent forwards in between, on the contrary. Lou Macari, Stuart 'Pancho' Pearson, Joe Jordan, Frank Stapleton, Norman Whiteside, Mark Hughes and McClair himself were all firm fans favourites.

United have rarely had prolific strikers

They were all able to score and were all fabulous players, but none were prolific. It is a mystery why strikers didn't flourish goalscoring wise, as even though the 70's and 80's saw United somewhat starved of success, they still played with the classic 4-4-2 and with a swagger. In addition to those successful strikers, United also had a number of others that didn't live up to expectations.

One of the most high profile flops in that period was Garry Birtles. Birtles was a classy forward that was signed from Nottingham Forest in October 1980 for a fee just short of the British record. For whatever reason, maybe the weight of the fee or the size of the club, Birtles didn't register a goal for 11 months when he scored five games into his second season. Latterly, Diego Forlan would have a similar disastrous start that defined his Old Trafford career (asides from one perfect day at Anfield).

As Sir Alex Ferguson moulded United into serial trophy winners, United's attacking options become more and more potent. Whilst Eric Cantona never reached 20 league goals, he was a talisman and was much more than a goalscorer. By the end of the century though, United had goals from everywhere and in particular with some of their forwards. In Andrew Cole, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Dwight Yorke (who did reach the 20 goal mark) they had predators.

The reason Cole and Solskjaer never hit the magical mark is probably due to the competition for the starting berths. In addition to the triumivate was Teddy Sheringham, so it meant that the appearances they all made were reduced somewhat. That didn't stop all of them leaving United with fantastic records and as heroes. There were two high profile signings made in the early to mid 2000's that in contrasting time frames, proved two of the most prolific in United's history.

Ruud van Nistelrooy signed for United in 2001 and in five seasons showed everybody what prolific is. He plundered an amazing 150 goals in 219 appearances and broke the 20 goal barrier in four of his five seasons. What was even more amazing is that during the period van Nistelrooy was at the club, the traditional 4-4-2 was slowly being eroded. Often, van Nistelrooy was deployed as a the loan striker and it was a role he grew into.

Van Nistelrooy and Rooney finally brought United 20 goals a season

Joining van Nistelrooy for the latter period of the Dutchman's Old Trafford career, was a youngster by the name of Wayne Rooney. While Rooney is probably not best described as prolific, he has twice scored more than 30 goals in a season, and the majority of those being league goals. What Rooney will go down in history for is his total amount of goals as he is destined to become not only United's but England's all time leading scorer.

And so we come back to today, and the difficulties United are having in front of goal. Rooney is not just still going, but he has become almost the only recognised striker - and that is a position where very few people feel is a position he can fill, despite his goals record. After failing to find the net in his first four appearances this season, he bagged an excellent hat-trick in the disposal of Club Brugge in the Champions League qualifying second leg.

However, his hesitancy against Swansea City, and his previously average performances mean that United are looking to a teenager, albeit a talented one, to spearhead United's frontline. Last year United had Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao on their books - two players that have proved their potency - as United's main strike force. Neither of them seemed to click in van Gaal's formation, and it could be that that trend continues. Even Javier Hernandez, who seemed to be given a reprieve, has now exited.

If world class players are struggling, then why should Anthony Martial succeed? Firstly, why did they fail? It has everything to do with the system, and the way United service the forwards. Falcao has been ridiculed for his failings at United, but anybody that actually watched him would see that he is still as sharp as he ever was. He missed chances, but not many - because he simply never got many.

United full of ponderous build up play as they struggle to score

That is largely due to the ponderous build up play. United keep possession very well, and as seen in Belgium when they get space and time to open up a defence, they can. However, in Brugge, the opposition probably helped United. In the Premier League, unless you attack with pace and a directness to your play then you find that the space has disappeared and defences are able to recover without being punished.

The other thing is that the centre forward has to play with their back to goal. Van Persie probably did this better than al of United's front men, but Rooney has really struggled to retain possession and bring runners in. Van Gaal has been talking about using Maroune Fellaini as a number nine, and as crazy as that sounds, would probably provide United with a better platform to hurt teams. It is not something that really appeals though.

So it could be that Martial, who has pace, technique and strength could be thrust into what is probably the most difficult position to play in at United. There are many experts providing glowing tributes about Martial, so it is clear that there is potential. For all concerned at United, it has to be hoped that the fee, the weight of expectation, and United's all too patient approach don't prevent him from reaching it.