‘Man United intensify striker search amid Rashford, Sancho breakthroughs’
Manchester United are set to refocus their efforts on signing a new striker after making breakthroughs regarding the situations of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho.
The Red Devils scored just 44 Premier League goals last season as they slumped to a 15th place finish, with only Everton and the bottom three scoring fewer.
Existing strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee managed just four and three league strikes, respectively, while Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes were United‘s top scorers with eight goals apiece.
With that in mind, Ruben Amorim desperately needs a new No.9 this summer, but the club must get this one right given how much they’ve spent on Hojlund and Zirkzee in the past couple of years.
Man United reach Rashford, Sancho breakthroughs
United are about to get a welcome boost to their budget for the summer, with both Rashford and Sancho closing in on moves away from Old Trafford.
Although only a loan deal, Rashford will have his entire salary covered by Barcelona. TalkSPORT report that the England international was on a whopping £16.9million per year at United, but will take almost half that at the Camp Nou with Barca paying £8.6m (21 July).
Sancho, meanwhile, is reportedly on the verge of a permanent move to Italian giants Juventus, who will pay €20m (£17.3m), some ‘very achievable add-ons, and some of the player’s remaining salary at Man United.
On top of that, United are still seeking buyers for Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony this summer — with the latter being weighed up by Atletico Madrid, according to iPaper (20 July).
Man United to step up striker search after budget boost
Most recently, United were rumoured to be attempting a hijack of Arsenal’s deal for Viktor Gyokeres, though that now appears to be pure fancy.
However, the Red Devils don’t appear to be short of striker targets.
| 2024/25 Premier League stats | Rasmus Hojlund | Joshua Zirkzee |
| Appearances | 32 | 32 |
| Minutes | 2,013 | 1,392 |
| Goals | 4 | 3 |
| Assists | 0 | 1 |
| xG on target | 5.48 | 5.72 |
Ollie Watkins has been heavily linked with a Man United switch, and the 20-time English champions could use Aston Villa’s precarious PSR position to give them an edge in negotiations.
With Arsenal pressing on with Gyokeres, the door may now be ajar for somebody to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig this summer, and United have been mentioned as admirers of the Slovenia international.
And according to Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke, Nicolas Jackson is unhappy at Chelsea following the arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap this summer. Alongside Aston Villa, Man United are understood to be weighing up an approach for the wantaway striker.
Watkins is the proven star, Sesko the up-and-comer, and Jackson the risky maverick with a huge potential payoff. However, it’s clear all three would be major upgrades on United’s current options.