Who is Sasa Kalajdzic? Ronaldo's potential successor at Manchester United

Amidst the ongoing speculation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Manchester United, attention has turned to who replaces the Portugal international should he depart this summer. While rumours from Germany suggest that Sasa Kalajdzic has emerged a possible target for the Premier League powerhouse.

A bout of COVID and a shoulder injury meant the towering frontman didn't start a league game this season until January, however once up to speed, he sought to make amends, netting six times across 13 league starts, including three times in his final six appearances of the campaign. 

VfB Stuttgart may have beaten the drop last season, with a 2-1 win over FC Koln ultimately guaranteeing their top-flight status, yet Kalajdzic is still expected to leave for pastures new this summer. "It would be outstanding if we can keep him as a player and as a guy. In my opinion, however, this is not very likely," VfB Stuttgart sporting director Sven Mislintat said earlier this year and it's now or never for Die Roten if they are to cash in on the 25-year-old. 

Kalajdzic's current deal with the Bundesliga side expires next summer and it's unlikely he'll put pen to paper on a new contract with the German outfit. Powerhouse Bundesliga pair Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig have been credited with an interest in the Austria international, while Tottenham have also been linked with a move for the striker as a possible backup for Harry Kane. 

Reportedly available for just £21m, interested parties would land themselves a bargain were they to firm up their interest in VfB Stuttgart hitman. Coming in at a whopping 6'6", at first glance you'd be forgiven for thinking Kalajdzic to be an imposing centre-back. Die Roten capitalised upon his stature to good effect, too, as they routinely went direct to their leading frontman following his return to the starting XI at the turn of the year. 

Kalajdzic has won more aerial duels (62) than any other player in the Bundesliga in 2022 with the forward returning a respectable success rate of 63.3% in the process. He's not one to shirk a physical battle against opposition defenders in both his efforts to bring others in to play or to go for goal himself. 

Since the start of last season, no player has scored more headed goals than Kalajdzic (11) in the Bundesliga, with the striker evidently more than capable of maximising his standing to hit the back of the net, developing a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'headed attempts' in the process. 

Yet there is more to Kalajdzic's game than just winning the ball with his head. He is prepared to drop deep to link up the play and make runs in behind defences to latch onto through balls, but there is no denying that his greatest quality is his strength in the air. If potential employers are prepared to bombard the opposition box with cross after cross, then Kalajdzic could prove an astute capture. 

For United, though, they'd need to up the ante from wide were they to fully utilise the forward. They finished ninth for total crosses (659) in the Premier League last season, while a 22.9% success rate ranked 11th. There is reason to suggest, though, that Ten Hag would implement a style that sees both figures rise. Ajax finished top for total crosses (809) and returned a cross accuracy of 26.7%, that the fifth best in the Eredivisie. 

Ronaldo may yet remain at Old Trafford beyond the closing of the summer window, particularly if Ten Hag seeks to utilise his strength in the air, but that shouldn't see them reject the chance to sign Kalajdzic. He'd be a handy deputy to Ronaldo, yet even if the latter does ultimately exit the club, the VfB Stuttgart forward could prove a cost-effective yet solid successor. 

He's been a fine focal point to the VfB Stuttgart attack for the last two years, but at his age he'll believe now is the time to take the next step in his career. United would be a hefty step up from the relegation-threatened Bundesliga side, yet he has the quality to succeed as the lead frontman for Ten Hag's side provided they play to his strengths.