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Manchester United ended a dismal season on a high with their FA Cup triumph against fierce rivals Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.
The win meant the Red Devils qualified for the Europa League and a second trophy in as many seasons might just force INEOS to keep manager Erik ten Hag at the helm for one more term.
But despite the 2-1 triumph, there are a lot of improvements needed all across the squad, with goalscoring proving to be a major issue this campaign.
The 20-time English league champions were the joint-lowest scorers among the league’s top-10 sides and despite ending his debut season as the club’s top-scorer, Rasmus Hojlund needs help.
Goalscorer needed
The Dutch manager was hopeful that the club would reintegrate Mason Greenwood back into the first-team fold but fan pressure but then-CEO Richard Arnold was forced into a U-turn and the academy graduate departed for Getafe.
In Spain, the 22-year-old has managed 10 goals and six assists, earning the club’s Player of the Season award while also earning plenty of new admirers.
Atletico Madrid were reported as one of his prime suitors and were willing to pay upto £40 million while INEOS are reportedly holding out for £50 million.
Such a steep price hike meant Barcelona were forced to depart the race while Juventus’ opening bid was laughed off by the Old Trafford side.
United would prefer a permanent exit and are even willing to bring back the England international to Manchester for pre-season training should nothing materialise.
As per The Daily Star, Atleti have still not given up the chase and are now contemplating a player-exchange deal with Joao Felix potentially arriving at The Theatre of Dreams.
The Portuguese has no future under Diego Simeone and has spent the last two seasons out on loan, first at Chelsea before a short stint at Barca this term.
The 24-year-old has managed 10 goals and six assists for the Catalan giants while he netted four times in 16 league games for the Blues.
Felix is not a typical No 9 and plays all across the frontline and even out wide and the manager will have the final say as to whether the club will pursue this particular swap offer.
Greenwood-Felix swap
“Manchester United are considering a swap deal involving Mason Greenwood and Portuguese star Joao Felix. Atletico Madrid are one of a host of European clubs keen to sign Greenwood – and are willing to offer United Felix in return.
“It’s understood Atletico have offered Felix to United as part of a deal that will see Greenwood join Diego Simeone’s men. United are considering if Felix would be the right fit at Old Trafford.”
The former Benfica starlet would prefer a move to a club in the Champions League and it will be interesting to see whether the Red Devils agree to such a proposal.
Ten Hag does like the former Golden Boy award winner and he was linked with a loan move to Old Trafford during the January window a few seasons ago but the club ultimately brought in Wout Weghorst.
The €113m star is not your typical goalscorer but he might help plug multiple creative gaps. As for Greenwood, he is also being pursued by Borussia Dortmund and Napoli and these rumours are far from over.
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