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Manchester United need to address the issue of adding an elite goalscorer ahead of next season if they are to maintain their upward trajectory and challenge for the biggest prizes next season.
Manager Erik ten Hag has done a fabulous job so far, with the Red Devils winning the Carabao Cup and are on course to add two more trophies this season after progressing to the FA Cup semifinals and Europa League quarterfinals.
The Dutch boss deserves even more plaudits for doing all this without a top-class striker.
United do not have a deadly striker
Marcus Rashford is the team’s top-scorer with 27 goals but he prefers playing on the left wing rather than starting up top on his own with his back to goal.
After last season’s top-scorer Cristiano Ronaldo left under acrimonious circumstances. the team brought in Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley.
The Dutch international has displayed a lot of heart but has not scored as many as his coach would have liked with only two goals arriving in 18 appearances.
Anthony Martial‘s injury troubles have meant he has missed 27 matches across all competitions. This is why the club are trying to add a striker ahead of next season.
The favourites according to media reports seem to be Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen of Napoli but both will cost record sums and their club owners are particularly difficult to deal with.
Among the back-up plans could be current Chelsea loan star Joao Felix. The Atletico Madrid superstar joined the Blues on loan after falling out with manager Diego Simeone.
United were also linked with the Portuguese at the time but his loan fee and salary demands were considered too much, which led to Chelsea winning the race.
Now according to AS, Felix’s future is in limbo currently. He would prefer not going back to Madrid but staying at Chelsea for the long-term also looks in doubt.
The team from Stamford Bridge might not be able to cough up another €100 million after their recent spending spree and if the club miss out on Champions League qualification.
Felix in limbo, United remain admirers
United, in this case, could offer him an escape route along with the added incentive of wearing the famed No 7 jersey.
“Manchester United has always been that club that has been there to watch, that has asked about him,” journalist Sergio Picos told AS.
“Since the departure of Cristiano you don’t have a big name up front either. That number 7 that Cristiano Ronaldo wore at Manchester United might not be a bad fit for the Portuguese.”
Felix is an undoubted talent and can plug multiple gaps in the squad but Ten Hag currently needs an out-and-out striker and the Portugal international does not fit that mould.
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