This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

According to ESPN, Manchester United are considering making a January move for AS Roma centre-forward Edin Dzeko.

What's the word?

The Red Devils have attracted some serious criticism this season for allowing the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez leave the club in the summer, and their goal-scoring troubles have simply compounded the issue. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have mustered just 16 goals in their first 12 Premier League games, with even 17th-placed Aston Villa finding the back of the net more times (17).

Reports in recent weeks have claimed United are keen to address this issue by swooping for a striker when the winter window opens up, with Mario Mandzukic and Callum Wilson said to be high up on the short-list. Now, ESPN claim the Red Devils are keen on former Manchester City star Edin Dzeko after "identifying the need for experienced reinforcements to the squad's attacking options".

The report adds that following Mandzukic's lack of game-time - he has yet to play for Juventus this season - United have turned to Dzeko as an option considering his Premier League experience, with Ed Woodward ready to "sanction the signing of a seasoned forward".

Proven quality

While some United fans have expressed their approval behind a possible move for Mandzukic, Dzeko would be an undeniable upgrade on the Croatia international. The 6 foot 4 powerhouse has a remarkable goal-scoring record for a number of different clubs throughout the years, including the likes of VfL Wolfsburg, AS Roma and City.

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And it is his experience with the latter that makes a swoop for Dzeko incredibly shrewd. In his time at the Etihad, the Bosnia and Herzegovina international racked up an impressive 72 goals in 189 games - particularly fine work considering Sergio Aguero's presence in the squad.  Of his total goal tally, 50 of them came in the Premier League alone, and the 33-year-old's first-hand knowledge of the top-flight would stand him in good stead at Old Trafford.

The veteran wouldn't need to adjust to the different pace and intensity from arriving from Italian football like Mandzukic would - the Croatian hasn't even't kicked a ball yet this season, let alone playing in England. Dzeko meanwhile has already played 15 times, whilst his previous City experience would allow him to hit the ground running in mid-season for United. It would mean Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wouldn't need to worry about slowly bedding him in, and as such, it's a move that makes perfect sense for the Red Devils.