Man United ‘unlikely’ to move for free agent as striker search continues
Manchester United want to sign a new striker after completing a deal for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.
The Red Devils do not intend to rely on Rasmus Hojlund next season. The Danish forward is now ‘more likely to leave than stay’ at the club.
United would find it financially challenging to sign a striker unless they can generate enough money from sales.
Due to the club’s difficulty spending money on a centre-forward, unconfirmed reports have linked them with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has become a free agent after leaving Everton.
However, journalist Ben Jacobs doubts Man United’s ability to secure Calvert-Lewin’s signature.
He told The Man United Stand: “Calvert-Lewin’s wage demands are very high, and therefore it is unlikely that Man United will move in that direction unless the demands decrease or they have a hole in the squad later in the window. As a free agent, the player will be rigid on his demands.”
Calvert-Lewin cannot solve Man United’s goalscoring woes
United need a clear upgrade on Hojlund to solve their goalscoring woes—Calvert-Lewin is not one.
He has yet to rediscover his best form from the 2020/2021 season, when he scored 16 league goals.
He netted just three times in the league last season and, unsurprisingly, ranked in the 20th percentile for goals per 90 among strikers in the division.
The other attacking facets of his game were also underwhelming. He ranked in the 22nd percentile for passes completed, 34th percentile for assists and 10th percentile for chances created per 90 among his peers in the league.
In addition, the 28-year-old has a poor injury record. He missed at least 15 games in three of the last four seasons due to various fitness concerns.
United should explore the market for a better centre-forward than the former Everton man.
A move for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins could benefit the club if a decent fee can be agreed with the Villans.
Watkins is among the finest target men in the English top flight, scoring 35 goals in the last two seasons. He would be a better signing for the Manchester outfit than Calvert-Lewin.
Stats from fotmob.com & transfermarkt.com
Article written by Henry Thornton .