New Delhi: Manchester United haven’t had the best of seasons is little news to anybody. Scoring only 23 times this season, they are currently placed 13th and their performance this season ultimately led to the sacking of Erik ten Hag. With Ruben Amorim at the helm, little has changed especially when it comes to finding the back of the net consistently.
Former Man United player Paul Scholes has said that United need to look for a striker in the January transfer market if they look for any reinforcement at all. Their £36.5m summer signing Joshua Zirkzee has been disappointing, scoring only four times and making two assists across competitions. Rasmund Hojlund has scored just twice in the Premier League and has been ineffective for most parts. With the transfer market open again, there are a few potential moves that United could be interested in.
5) Victor Osimhen
🚨 Sources indicate that Victor Osimhen is determined to join Manchester United, with preliminary talks already underway to finalise the deal.
(Source: @BusinessDayNg) pic.twitter.com/V23VIyPHTx
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 5, 2025
Nigerian international Victor Osimhen’s transfer has moved into another window and there remains little clarity on where his future might be. Osimhen had been linked to some of the top clubs in Europe, including Real Madrid, as an alternative to Kylian Mbappe.
For Napoli, in the 2021-22 season, he scored 26 goals yet Osimhen missed an opportunity for the club due to poor valuation from Napoli. The 26-year-old kind of fits the kind of workload and philosophy that Amorim firmly believes in as he changes the culture at Old Trafford. PSG could give the Red Devils competition for Osimhen as they are also looking to fill Kylian Mbappe’s spot.
4) Randal Kolo Muani
After a brilliant 2022-23 season with Eintracht Frankfurt, Randal Kolo Muani moved to his country’s team Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 as part of a deal worth $95 million. However, the move hasn’t worked in favour of the 26-year-old, scoring only 11 times in his 53 appearances across competitions.
This season, Kolo Muani has only made two starts in the Ligue 1 and there are reports that PSG would be rather in favour of a transfer in January. He perfectly fits the bill of United and it is a transfer that will be of interest to PSG as well. With the striker spot not being in claims of anyone, Amorim won’t mind having someone like Kolo Muani as the attacker even if it is short-term.
3) Dusan Vlahovic
Manchester United have reportedly shown interest for Dusan Vlahovic in exchange for Zirkzee. Juventus have reportedly shown interest in the Dutch international and would be interested in parting ways with Vlahovic who has just 18 months left in his contract. While Amorim has said he wants Zirkzee to stay back at OId Trafford, his inconsistency could lead to him moving back to Serie A after all.
Arsenal have also been targeting the Serbian international, having a terrific season in Serie A, scoring seven times. In the Champions League, Vlahovic has scored four times and has been on close target for a while for the Gunners, having almost signed him in 2022. Vlahovic could be the fix that United need, with his ability to score at a good frequency.
2) Benjamin Sesko
🚨 Manchester United have joined Arsenal and Chelsea in the race to sign Benjamin Sesko.
They see the RB Leipzig striker as a potential replacement for Marcus Rashford.
(Source: @TBRFootball) pic.twitter.com/uv7fRzKaFC
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) December 22, 2024
Benjamin Sesko is another name that both Arsenal and Man United are reportedly fighting for as they look to strengthen their squad, with both teams struggling in the striker’s area. United have been targeting the RB Leipzig’s attacker who has this season scored eight goals and made three assists in 19 games across competitions.
It has been reported that both Arsenal and United were scouting the 21-year-old during RB Leipzig’s 5-1 loss against Bayern Munich. In the game, the only goal from Leipzig’s side came from Sesko’s boot and made a good impression on all the teams who were present to watch him. His built and ability to finish make him the ideal probable who could fit in Amorim’s squad.
1) Victor Gyokeres
Victor Gyokeres would be one name that United are keen on as they attempt to improve their goal-scored section in the season. Having had spells in the Premier League before, it was under Amorim that Gyokeres found most success after moving to Sporting Lisbon in 2023. During his stint for Coventry City, he caught Sporting’s attention.
Many Premier League clubs are eager to secure his services as it is seen as a good return for cheap investment. PSG also are reportedly keen on having the 26-year-old in their squad. While City are also interested in the Swedish international, Amroim’s amazing work with Gyokeres might be too tempting an offer to leave for United.
Manchester United struggle in the season has been primarily due to their misfiring strikers and there’s little doubt that Ruben Amorim’s squad needs reinforcement. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
