In his latest column for CaughtOffside, Fabrizio Romano issued an update on a number of major transfers. One such transfer was how Manchester United backed out of the deal for Darwin Nunez who is now set to join Liverpool. In that, Romano mentioned that United’s top priority for a signing this summer is an out-and-out striker.
Manchester United Top Priority is a Striker
Needing Goals
Last season, Cristiano Ronaldo led the way for United in goalscoring. The Portuguese footballing legend added 24 goals to his already ludicrous career tally across all competitions for the club in his return season.
Ronaldo aside, the team struggled to get the ball in the net as their next highest scorer was midfielder Bruno Fernandes with 10 goals. In a league season where the top clubs in England were scoring over 90 goals, United were and are in need of more firepower.
One thing that United will need to be wary of is Ronaldo’s age. At 37 a decline is no doubt on the horizon for the player, which makes United’s need for a proper goalscoring threat even direr.
Potential Options
It comes as no surprise then that United’s main priority in this window is a striker. Having refused to shell out the necessary money for Nunez, it becomes a question of who is available for the club to sign.
Elite-level goalscorers don’t grow on trees, with most already snapped up by some of Europe’s top clubs. Liverpool moved quickly for Nunez to replace Sadio Mane, Manchester City moved quickly to sign Erling Haaland, and Paris Saint-Germain moved heaven and earth to re-sign Kylian Mbappe.
The field of potential signings is already small and United are currently tied up in negotiations for Frenkie de Jong, meaning their search for a striker has taken a backseat for the minute with viable options decreasing every passing day.
Main image credit: Wikimedia Commons
