Man United told to complete £68m Darwin Nunez deal after update – pundit
Noel Whelan has suggested Man United could have a much-improved 2022-23 campaign if target Darwin Nunez can add 15-20 goals to the side.
The former Leeds hitman, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, urged the Red Devils to sign a new “out-and-out striker” this summer with Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, coming to the end of his contract.
According to talkSPORT (31 May), Man United are pursuing a deal for Nunez this summer – with Benfica slapping a £68million price tag on the Uruguay international.
The report claims the 22-year-old is “keen” on becoming a part of Erik ten Hag’s Old Trafford revolution this season.
Nunez, who is under contract until June 2025, notched 34 goals and four assists in 41 games during the 2021-22 season.
Whelan insisted Man United need another natural option after relying on the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford to lead the line in recent months.
“I think they need to sign a striker, that’s for sure,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“You’ve got players at Man United where you aren’t sure what position they play. What is Rashford – a number nine, a winger, or a number ten?
“He’s played in so many different positions and he’s so out of form as well.
“Everything just needs freshening up at that football club. They do need to bring in an out-and-out striker like Nunez who can give them three, four, five years.
“Because when they’ve tried certain players leading the line, it just hasn’t worked – Fernandes, for example.
“Ronaldo came up with the goods, but he’s at the back end of his career.
“If they get someone else chipping in with 15-20 goals – it could be a different season.”
In other news, pundit tells Man United to beat Tottenham to £42.5m star after talks.