Pierre Emerick Aubameyang would make a 'difference' for Manchester United

Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang would make a real difference to Manchester United if he joined the club in the near future, according to former midfielder Quinton Fortune. The Gabon international has continually been linked with a move to various corners of Europe, with Arsenal having submitted an offer for his services during the last summer transfer window.

The 27-year-old is regarded as one of the hottest properties in Europe having backed up his performance last term with 14 in as many games at the start of this season. His goals helped fire Dortmund back into the Champions League, where he has scored in each of the club's first three group games including against Real Madrid.

Italian football agent Vinceno Morabito has claimed that Arsenal made a bid worth €90m [£80.12m, $99.47m] for Aubameyang during the summer as he tried to manufacturer his move to Napoli. Fortune has now suggested that the forward would significantly improve United's squad if he were to move to Old Trafford and would inject so much-needed pace into Jose Mourinho's side.

"Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund, I like him," Fortune, who made just 76 appearances during seven years at United, told MUTV, according to Goal.com. "Pace, scoring goals, that's what we need but, obviously we have the young Marcus Rashford. If we are going to bring someone in that can make a difference, he can make a difference."

The Dortmund hitman scored 39 goals last season in 49 appearances and his reputation has surged this season, having netted four times in the thumping win over Hamburg before the international break. The run of form has been followed by news that Arsenal made an audacious offer for him in the summer, news which will undoubtedly intensify speculation regarding his long-term future at Westfalenstadion.

"Aubameyang?I laugh, I wonder how it could ever get him," super agent Morabito told Iamnaoples.it. "Some time ago I made a phone call to [Michael] Zork, sporting director of Borussia Dortmund, to talk about Aubameyang but the 'no' was absolutely categorical. I know that this summer Arsenal have offered €90m [£80.12m, $99.47m] for Aubameyang but Borussia did not want to learn anything. In the past, the striker was offered to the blues but Benitez preferred to Callejon."

The world-record acquisition of Paul Pogba ensured that United ended the summer as the second biggest spenders in Europe, behind Manchester City. Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan also arrived in the off-season, yet results have not yet followed with Mourinho's side eight points off the pace in the Premier League.