Who would you like to see slotted in?

This debate is now closed.

The Red Devils have not signed a new striker over the summer, but it could be that Sir Alex Ferguson is planning one last raid on the transfer market before the big kick-off.

Only seven players have worn the famous shirt since Sir Bobby Charlton hung up his boots in 1973, but it is unlikely any of the established players will swap and there does not appear to be a worthy heir within the squad.

Who would you like to see in the hallowed number nine?

I think that the number 9 shirt should be filled by either Eidur Gudjohnsen or Hernan Crespo because let's face it, both Chelsea and Lazio need the money.
Kyle Matravers, England

I think Patrick Kluivert is the right man. He'd have no trouble showing everyone what a donkey Campbell is.
Gaz, Manchester, England

Why don't Man Utd Look to buy a cheap Swede such as Kim Kallstrom, or what about the scoring ability of Henrik Larsson!?
Chris Marsh, England

Ronaldinho will be the most ideal choice for the 'Big Nine'. Ask David Seaman about it.
Raymond Ong, Singapore

A cheeky bid for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink wouldn't upset me as much as it would upset Chelsea fans. Yes, Jimmy would be fine!
John Collins, UK

Well, United should give their number nine shirt to one of their three youth strikers, Jimmy Davis, Daniel Nardiello or Danny Webber. They had been prolific during the reserves games that helped United win their reserves league title.
Jon, Malaysia

I think they should give Rio number five and Veron number nine. I also think they need a striker right now. We don't want another poor performance. Come on Manchester United!
Taiwo Fowosere, England

No-one's mentioned him, but does anyone else think Fergie might take the Yorke money and a little extra back to West Ham in a cheeky bid for DiCanio? He deserves the biggest stage, ask any Celtic fan!
Rosco, Mother Glasgow

I say Ruud van Nistelrooy should be switched to the number nine jersey if he isn't already. Soon enough the Man Utd faithful will revere him as they do Busby, Charlton, Best, Beckham, and Cantona.
Ron Alama, USA

A perfect number nine for Manchester United would be Hernan Crespo! Cheers!!
Walter Zuleta, Canada

I personally think Graeme Lamb or John Barnes or even Mikey Shannaon should all be considered as well as that new comer Roberto Di Lambio, all top quality strikers, no need for Ruud when you've got Roberto!
Tommy "Bobby" Zamora, Bangledesh

Give the number nine shirt to Gudjohnsen when he comes for �15 million. Forlan isn't that bad, he'll score a bagfull this year, just watch.
Tyler, England

I'd like to see Man Utd sign Ronaldo, Crespo, or Lopez. They'd all be unstoppable. We can't win the European Cup with just Ole and Ruud. If Ruud got injured, then everything will be lost. We need at least two world-class forwards in the team. I'd also like to see them sign Cisse from France. He was amazing at the World Cup.
Aeolus Ng, Australia

Give it to Veron. He was useless in midfield last season. He can't be any worse up front. Let's see if he can break Forlan's record of no goals in 18 games. I wonder if that's a Premiership record? On a serious note, I think Utd will get Crespo for Veron. Here's hoping!!
Rick, Surrey, England

There is only one person in the world who should wear that shirt and it's Ronaldo. Sign him, and his Brazilian mate Ronaldinho.
Mark Johnson, UK, England

I think that there are several young strikers out there that deserve the number nine at Utd. Firstly there is Vassel, who is going to be big in the future, then there is Defoe who is already making a good impression.

Alan Smith is also a top striker of the future, but I cannot see any more Leeds players going Utd's way just yet(!) I would think that Alex Ferguson will either give the shirt to Van Nistelrooy, or to Veron, which would free up the number four for Ferdinand.
Michael Morter, England

I think the number nine should be given to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over than any others, because of his devotion for the club.
HIepTran, Vietnam

I think that Ruud Van Nistelrooy should get the number nine shirt as I think he has deserved it with his top performance for the reds last season.
Ceri Morcom, Wales

As The Goat looks like being surplus at The Reds' more illustrious neighbours, maybe he should return to Salford and add a bit of class and good looks to boot!
Neil, UK

I think United should invest in youth - perhaps West Ham's Jermaine Defoe. He's young, quick and can score goals (which can't be said about Diego Forlan).
Simon Peasley, UK

I would give number nine to Fabien Barthez, as he seems to be better on the pitch than in goal.
Matthew Pettit, England

The new number nine should be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Jamie Morris, United Kingdom

I would like to see one of two players wear the number nine shirt for Manchester United. Hernan Crespo of Lazio is my first choice. The Roman giants are very strapped for cash and still owe United a lot for Jaap Stam.

The other one would be the veteran Alan Shearer. He 23 goals in the Premier League last season, which says a lot for a guy who says his international career is over.
Dave Blye, Canada

I'm not bothered who wears the number nine shirt, just as long as whoever it is wears it with the same distinction and pride as previous owners.
Frederick Lloyd, Australia

I think they should put a cheap bid in for Jimmy Floyd. He and Ruud would score bundles.
Toby Connors, London

How about Landon Donovan? He had as good a World Cup as any English striker.
Eric, USA

The number nine jersey should go to Roque Santa Cruz!
Martin, Canada

If united are looking for pace and skill, there's no better than a Jamaican player called Ricardo Fuller. He played for Hearts in Scotland last season and is now at Preston. With Ruud scoring goals and Ricardo terrifying defences they would be unstoppable.
Calum, Scotland

I would like to see Rivaldo wear the number nine shirt now that he's on a free. Failing that, they should give it Solskjaer and then sign the young Argentine Andres D'Alessandro.
Clive Rowe, Jamaica

I think it's good for English clubs to buy more English players. How about Kevin Philips, Craig Bellamy or a cheaper player like Bobby Zamora?
Thomas, Holland

Not matter what he costs - Raul is the one!
Jason, Manchester, England

Rivaldo is the only player United need (especially now that he's available on a free), he is the ideal person to sit just behind Ruud.
Nel, England

Re Bob, UK: Apparently Coley (Utd's top scorer in Europe) is not good enough. Apparently Solskjaer, who scored the winner at the Nou Camp, is not good enough. So it seems entirely natural that we should put in a �20m bid for...Steve Claridge? What are you like?
Tom, UK

Is it completely impossible for people in Ireland to talk about football without mentioning Damien Duff. It seems to be similar to the affliction which causes them to mention Brian O'Driscoll whenever rugby union is the topic of conversation. Just a point!
Scott, England

How about Cardiff City's Robert Earnshaw? He's got a lot of pace...!
Tim Baker, UK

Dream on lads, Utd cannot afford a top-grade striker at the rates they are currently going for without selling more players! Gudjohnsen would be a great purchase. I think Yorke's cash will be spent on Escude, the young French international.
Leon Pachner, Britain

If Fergie can bring either Raul or Morientes to Old Trafford, they both deserve number 9.
Steve, England

I think my mate Colin should get the Man Utd number 9 shirt as he would be able to pull birds in it, something he fails miserably with at the moment.
Davie Duke, Scotland

Claudio Lopez would be ideal: lightning pace and wonderful touch would make up for Van Nistelrooy's lack of speed. What a forwqard line!
Daniel Heathcote, UK

I think Totti would be an ideal partner for Van Nistelrooy.
David Hurn, England

I would love to see Javier Saviola where the number 9 shirt next season. Him and Ruud would be unstoppable. But even though Saviola is only 20 years old, he would cost �30m.
Josh Mason, USA

I would like to see someone with real pace to unsettle the tight defences deployed by teams facing United. Thierry Henry would actually be my ideal choice but there's not much chance of that.

Ronaldo had a great World Cup and would be a terrific signing, but I doubt we could afford him. In the current climate I would make a sneaky bid for Eidur Gudjohnsen - he is still young and has plenty of talent. Chelsea need the money too.
Sean Passant, Peoples' Republic of Mancunia

Ronaldo would be my pick as he would score 40+ goals next season at the theatre of dreams alongside Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
Richard Cook, England

Two words for you! Damien Duff!
Scone, Derry, Ireland

I would love to see Hernan Crespo of Lazio take the number 9 shirt - watch this space for more!
Stasher, UK

Ronaldo - he plays number 9 for the World Champions so why not for the glorious Reds? Come on Kenyon, get the cheque-book out again.
Stuart, UK

Christian Vieri, what a player! Ruud and him up front, what a partnership!
Dean Massey, England

I think that Veron will wear the number 9 shirt. He has the class and ability.
Liam Boyle, Derry, Ireland

I think Ronaldo, Crespo, Vieri, and Steve Claridge, should all be considered. If we are serious about winning the European Cup we need the best strike-force in the competition.

Nistelrooy is undeniably one of the best, but we lack a good partner. Solskjaer is fantastic for the Premiership, but like Cole, not good enough in Europe. And Forlan? We should have left him for Boro!
Bob , UK

Gudjohnsen looks like he's after a move, and Chelsea need the money. He looks quality through and through and I'm sure would jump at the chance of a move to Utd.

Kluivert would be a good addition as well, although slightly more expensive. He snubbed Utd before, but we'd still welcome him with open arms.
Stef, Sunny Scunny, UK

They should get Claudio Lopez from Lazio. He said he would love to link up with old team-mate Veron. He's got pace, can hold the ball and cross, which would make a good link up with him and Van Nistelrooy.
Suhail Zamir (Sid), England

How about Phil Neville?
Dylan, Germany

United will sign a forward before the start of the season. Everyone is saying that Peter Kenyon stated that our spending was over but he didn't say that! He said that you need to be careful with the size of the squad.

I can't see Fergie going into the new season with three forwards. Of the three we have Forlan has not even done the business yet, although that doesn't mean he won't.

I would love to see Patrick Kluivert taking the number 9 shirt at United. I believe he would do very well in the Prem and he would feel comfortable up front with Ruud! Come on the Reds!
Jonathan, England

Crespo, as Lazio are desperate to cash in on someone before they face getting thrown out of Serie A, or even Ronaldinho, who's club are also in debt.
Matthew Reardon, England

Why don't they sign Mickey Mouse - that will just about finalise their joke line-up!
Richard, England

Who cares who's wearing the number 9 for United...it's still going to be the same outcome this season for them...a finish around mid-table. Their days are numbered.
Mike Buckley, Ireland

United's number 9 has to be the mighty Ade Akinbiyi! After last year's Premiership performance I think he is the ideal signing for United!
Mark Forrest, UK

I would like to see Ronaldo wearing the beloved number 9 shirt. Imagine a strike force of Ruud and Ronaldo, their striking prowess together with the creative minds of Becks, Giggsy, Keano and Scholes would mean we would outscore any team.
Mark Birley, England

There is only one number 9. Ronaldo.
Ben, England

I would like to see Solksjaer get the number nine shirt at Man Utd. You've got to agree he deserves it.
Mohammed Mayet, England

I'd keep it free for this coming season and then give it to Ronaldo when he signs for United next year.
Mike Dunne, England

I think the number nine shirt should go to my grandma, as she could score more goals for Utd than Andy 'Donkey' Cole or Diego 'no hope' Forlan.
Phil Cuff, England