Andre Onana’s latest evident errors might have heightened the seek for a brand new goalkeeper, though so far as precedence positions are involved for Manchester United, it’s absolutely the ahead line that’s in want of bolstering.
Whereas Joshua Zirkzee – who has revived his United profession after being booed off towards Newcastle United again in December – did rating an important purpose in midweek, that backpost header was simply the Dutchman’s seventh in all competitions this season, having struggled to really hearth following his £36.5m swap from Bologna.
The versatile attacker has been compelled to line up in a maybe unsuited centre-forward berth at occasions because of the woes of teammate Rasmus Hojlund, with the struggling Dane once more trying lifeless on Thursday night time, after registering simply 11 touches in complete.
In all, the previous Atalanta starlet has solely scored eight targets throughout all fronts in 2024/25, whereas fellow ahead, Alejandro Garnacho, has solely simply bettered that tally with 9 targets of his personal, having chipped in with simply two targets since Ruben Amorim took cost.
With Amad Diallo presently sidelined – and the likes of Antony and Marcus Rashford having been shipped out on mortgage – the attacking unit does seem significantly depleted, therefore the necessity to recruit high quality reinforcements this summer season.
Newest on Man Utd’s seek for a ahead
In keeping with latest studies, it appears as if United could possibly be able to raid fellow Premier League sides for his or her prized possessions, with The Athletic reporting on Friday that each Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha are into account.
Within the case of the Wolverhampton Wanderers star, the Brazilian – who has scored 13 league targets this season – is considered as a possible resolution in one of many two quantity ten berths in Amorim’s 3-4-3 set-up, having operated on the flanks or centrally at Molineux this season.
The 25-year-old has already outlined his want to “take the subsequent step” in his profession, with suitors capable of land the previous Atletico Madrid man for £62.5m this summer season, amid the presence of a launch clause in his present deal.
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As per studies in Spain, nevertheless, the Purple Devils are additionally contemplating attacking alternate options, with claims made that Amorim and co are making ready a proposal for Paris Saint-Germain starlet, Désiré Doué.
The 19-year-old – who solely joined the Ligue 1 champions on a €50m (£42m) deal final summer season – seems to have caught the eye of the Outdated Trafford hierarchy amid his dazzling shows this season, with the Frenchman considered as ‘one in every of their key future prospects’.
As per the piece, nevertheless, any deal would doubtless not come low-cost, with it but to be seen whether or not Luis Enrique’s facet could be prepared to money in so swiftly.
How Désiré Doué compares to Matheus Cunha
The main advantage of touchdown Cunha this summer season could be that the in-demand ahead has already confirmed himself within the Premier League, having notably scored immediately from a nook within the 2-0 win over Man Utd at Molineux on Boxing Day.
That ensures the £62.5m man could be a ready-made resolution so far as Amorim is worried, though it is onerous to disclaim that Doué represents the larger expertise, having been hailed as “among the best within the sport proper now” by information analyst Ben Mattinson.
Certainly, {the teenager} scored a merely outrageous equaliser in PSG’s eventual 3-1 win over Aston Villa within the Champions League on Wednesday night, having rifled in a shocking curling effort that left Emi Martinez with merely no probability within the Villa purpose.
That effort ensured the previous Rennes starlet already has six targets and assists to his title in 12 outings in Europe’s high tier competitors this season, having racked up 24 purpose involvements in complete in 2024/25. Cunha, against this, has ‘simply’ 19 purpose contributions for the Outdated Gold.
Able to working as an attacking midfielder or on the flanks, Doué would absolutely be a super choice for the quantity ten berth in Amorim’s system, with Mattinson lauding him as a “genius” who can “create one thing out of nothing”.
|
Cunha vs Doue – key stats (final one year) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90) |
Cunha |
Doue |
|
Non-penalty targets |
0.56 |
0.33 |
|
Assists |
0.18 |
0.33 |
|
Shot-creating actions |
3.82 |
4.93 |
|
Progressive passes |
4.69 |
6.41 |
|
Progressive carries |
3.68 |
5.71 |
|
Profitable take-ons |
2.03 |
3.34 |
|
Cross completion |
71.6% |
80.7% |
|
Tackles |
1.23 |
1.93 |
|
Interceptions |
0.56 |
0.74 |
|
Stats through FBref |
||
What units Doué aside is simply how sturdy he’s throughout a spread of metrics, as indicated above, having outperformed Cunha with regard to each attacking and defensive contributions, throughout the final one year.
It’s then no shock that he has caught the attention of these on the Theatre of Desires, with the PSG man’s age, potential and present performances guaranteeing he might characterize a larger funding than the seize of Cunha.
Now, the problem shall be making an attempt to pluck him from the Parc des Princes…
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