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Louis Saha believes Manchester United must sign a new striker in the summer and insists Lyon goalscorer Alexandre Lacazette is good enough to prosper at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney was United’s lowest top scorer since Frank Stapleton in 1982 last season with 14 goals, while Robin van Persie netted 10 and Radamel Falcao’s fourth and final strike came in January.

United are monitoring Tottenham’s England striker Harry Kane and retain an interest in Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, whom Sir Alex Ferguson coveted six years ago.

Lyon striker Lacazette, 24, scored 27 goals in 33 games to end 2014-15 as Ligue 1’s top scorer and Saha feels United require pace up front.

(Image: Eddie Garvey)

“I think it’s a must United sign a striker,” Saha told M.E.N. Sport.

“Because you have always the need for competition up front, that’s what brings excellence to every player.

“So yes, I would say that a big name [like Falcao] is not something that is always good for a manager’s experience. Maybe a bit more speed than before, to put the defenders on their toes a bit more and to get behind defenders.

“Could Lacazette thrive at United? I think so, it’s obvious he’s done really well in France, he’s scored many, many goals because he can threaten behind, he can score from far, he’s a very clever player.”

Saha credits Wayne Rooney’s intelligence in their partnership behind his ebullient form at United in 2006, when Sir Alex Ferguson selected him ahead of Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The decision ultimately led to United’s first Premier League title in four years, as they overcame Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea juggernaut in 2006-07.

Rooney, though, spent large chunks of last season behind the strikers and in midfield until mid-February, when Louis van Gaal played him up front in the fluid 4-3-3 system.

Now just one goal shy of equalling Sir Bobby Charlton’s England record, Rooney nevertheless squandered a number of chances before his winner in Slovenia on Sunday and Saha feels Rooney has suffered from his own selflessness.

“The difficulty I think is he went on a period when Manchester United is not the same team, so he struggled to put all the attributes towards one target,” the Frenchman added.

“He had to do many, many stuff for the club and he managed well.

“I think he sacrificed himself a bit more than other players because he’s capable of doing it, so maybe people judge that he could have achieved more.

“But he’s done extremely well from what he’s been asked to do, so yeah, if you look at goals he could have definitely scored more goals, but he wasn’t able to do it and he was asked to dictate the game.”

See where Lacazette came in our list of United targets voted on by fans.