Manchester United has been going through a big role coaster ride which is rather filled with more downs than ups. Our defensive weakness has been highlighted numerous times by opposition attackers and against Atletico Madrid, it was again proven right.
But that’s not the only issue that needs to be solved as there is a much bigger problem running behind the scenes which gets little attention. And that is Manchester United’s attacking output this season.
They have been relying on Cristiano Ronaldo to save them on big occasions. The Portuguese have scored 12 Premier League goals and six ChampionsLeague goals for Manchester United this season. But he has been our go-to man when there is no other way to win against defensively resilient teams.
The fact is that neither Bruno Fernandes nor Marcus Rashford has been able to contribute much this season. Jadon Sancho has started showing some positive signs with his recent form and is adapting well to the league.
Edinson Cavani’s plan for June has not changed and it’s gonna be confirmed soon. He’s set to leave Manchester United as free agent, looking for a new experience 🔴🇺🇾 #MUFC
La Liga will be his priority – while South American clubs have already approached him. River Plate, no way. pic.twitter.com/eOIe10MIE3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 15, 2022
However, with Edinson Cavani expected to leave the club this June and Jesse Lingard also following him to the exit doors, Manchester United needs to sign some attacking players. Even Anthony Martial is loving life in Sevilla and could decide to leave England permanently.
Cristiano Ronaldo could stay for one more year but then he may leave after the completion of his two-year contract. The club currently has Anthony Elanga who can score goals but they still need a young and powerful striker to help them finish off chances for years to come.
Although this list should even contain midfielders and defenders which we currently lack, let’s first look at these three strikers that Manchester United should sign this summer.
1. Harry Kane
We wondered for a while what kind of striker Harry Kane truly is. He felt like a vintage striker, a box dweller like Alan Shearer who could hit the ball hard that you can see the goal ripple apart.
Perhaps we weren’t paying enough attention. The England captain has evolved into a Swiss Army knife of a forward, with a passing range that would make any deep-lying defender weep and off-the-ball mobility that would tear any defense apart. To be honest, he helped Tottenham Hotspur progress season after season.
He hasn’t had the best season this year, but as the season progresses and Antonio Conte shapes his team around him, he is gradually becoming more lethal. He’s still a world-class athlete who could be a perfect signing for Manchester United.
But he will not come in for cheap as we all have seen that Tottenham rejected a £150m bid by Manchester City for the English striker. Although Manchester City is also running for his signature, they have now turned their attention to Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund.
Still, there is a catch in this transfer, Harry Kane wants to join a club that competes in the Champions League. Manchester United is currently struggling to get a top-four finish and this could complicate things further.
Chances of Harry Kane arriving at Manchester United: 5/10
2. Darwin Nunez
The latest player to come upon this list. He has been linked with a move to Manchester United recently and it comes with no surprise considering the fact that he has been a phenomenal striker for Benfica this season.
He has already scored 26 goals in 33 appearances for Benfica in all competitions. He is just 22 years old and has his prime years ahead of him.
With Benfica ready to ask for a fee of around £63m, Manchester United could try to bargain and get that fee down to an ideal price. With Edinson Cavani ready to leave the club in June, he could be a fantastic replacement.
Darwin Núñez will be another big name to watch in the summer. West Ham made an official bid for him on Deadline Day in Jan: €48m turned down by Benfica. 🇺🇾 #UCL
…Hammers alongside other clubs will be back in the summer for Núñez, this time with good chances. pic.twitter.com/bdwMTH5rB7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 15, 2022
Nunez has been targeted by United’s close rivals Arsenal as well. Considering that Arsenal is already giving us nightmares in the race for the top four finish, it would be not so pleasing to let Darwin Nunez leave for the North Londoners.
And if Nunez continues to score like that, who knows there could be more clubs ready to enter the transfer race.
Chances of Darwin Nunez arriving at Manchester United: 6/10
3. Christopher Nkunku
This time it’s a Bundesliga star who could be Manchester United’s next future superstar. Not to forget that this lad scored a hattrick against Manchester City last year which will attract the Red Devils outfit.
The 24-year-old is already on the list of targets that Ralf Rangnick wants to add to his squad. He can play as a winger and as a striker as well, which is a major advantage of having him in the team.
He has already scored 26 goals and provided 15 assists for RB Leipzig this season. He will certainly cost us a lot more money as the German team values him at £75m which is not a small sum.
👏 Christopher Nkunku appreciation post
📊 Stats in all comps
▶️ Appearances – 38
⚽️ Goals – 26
🅰️ Assists – 10
📈 Rating – 7.66 pic.twitter.com/bRbp5oPRqu— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 14, 2022
But the major factor that has pulled him in this list is his club’s relative closeness to Ralf Rangnick. The Manchester United manager will certainly prefer to have Nkunku as his style of play is similar to Rangnick’s philosophies.
Chances of Cristopher Nkunku arriving at Manchester United: 7/10
The player who missed the list: Unfortunately its Erling Braut Haaland.
He could have joined us but recently he has made it quite clear that he needs to join a club that is progressing, having a quality manager and raising trophies every year. Right now, these demands can’t be met at Manchester United, and only teams like Real Madrid and Manchester City are leading the race for his signature.
